Derby County’s Under-23s will be
looking to pick up their first win of 2022 in
Premier League 2 - Division 1 when they host Arsenal on Friday evening.
The Under-23s will face the Gunners at Loughborough University Stadium (7pm kick-off) and dcfc.co.uk has brought together all the key information you will need to know ahead of the game.
Team News...
Defender Lee Buchanan made his return after almost two months out with a knee injury for the Under-23s in their 2-0 loss at Leeds United on Monday night.
The England Under-21 international got an hour under his belt against Leeds but is now expected to step up and return to the first-team fold.
Winger Tyree Wilson (knee) was sidelined going into the Christmas break and is edging closer to returning to action after being injured in August.
Centre-back Harrison Solomon is back fit again after a spell out with a
knee issue and has been on the bench in recent matches.
Pre-Match Views - Coaching Staff...
Senior Professional Development Phase Coach Pat Lyons spoke to RamsTV following Monday's 2-0 loss at Leeds United - with the full video available below.
The Season So Far...
Derby's
Under-23s have played 15 games so far this term in Premier League 2 -
Division 1 and have registered four wins, one draw and ten defeats.
Pat Lyons' side ended 2021 with a six match unbeaten run, which included three wins and a draw in the league to lift them out of the relegation zone and into 12th place.
They have, however, started 2022 with back-to-back league losses against Liverpool and on the road at Leeds United - but they'll be aiming to put that run right against the Gunners.
In the Premier League Cup, the Rams are top of Group C after five matches with 13 points to their name and they have already reached the knockout stages of the competition and won the group with a match to spare.
Arsenal's Under-23s are fourth in the league table with eight wins, four draws and four defeats from their 16 matches this season and are seven points behind leaders West Ham United.
Derby were 5-3 winners when the sides met back in November, on a memorable evening for the Academy, as they produced a statement performance to beat the then league leaders in their own back yard.
Louie Sibley got the Rams off to a good start, firing home on three minutes, before Arsenal turned the game on its head as Flo Balogun scored twice.
Luke Plange got Derby level on the half hour mark as he scored from close range, but ten incredible second half minutes put Pat Lyons’ side in complete control of the game.
Darren Robinson, on his full Under-23s debut, found Plange to net his second of the game before he turned provider, crossing for Connor Dixon to head home Derby’s fourth.
And, to round off the spell of dominance, Sibley smashed the ball past the Arsenal goalkeeper to score the Rams’ fifth of the evening. Balogun did pull a goal back for Arsenal to complete his hat-trick, but the night belonged to Derby as they saw the game out professionally and earned the vital three points.
Live Stream...
RamsTV is unable to stream the game live owing to a Premier League match taking place on Friday night.
Full match highlights from the Premier League 2 - Division 1 clash will appear online on dcfc.co.uk following the game.
Ticket Information...
Derby County’s Under-23s will continue to play most of their home fixtures for the 2021/22 season at Loughborough University.
Supporters will once again be able to attend the matches and tickets can be purchased in advance of each fixture from the Loughborough Sport website.
Advanced purchases are advised, and all tickets will be for the terracing areas of Loughborough University Stadium.
Tickets are priced as follows:
Season Ticket Holders: FREE (all Season Ticket Holders have been emailed a 2021/22 'proof of purchase' to show on arrival)
Advance Purchases: Adult £3.50, Concessions £1.50 (these include online booking fees)
Matchday Purchases: Adult £5, Concessions £2.50
* The doors will open for each match from 30 minutes before kick-off.
Stadium Address: Loughborough University Stadium, Loughborough, LE11 3TL.
Tickets for all of Derby County Under-23s’ fixtures at Loughborough University Stadium can be purchased here: loughboroughsport.ticketline.co.uk/derby-county-fc-u23.