Frank Lampard has confirmed to RamsTV that new loan signings Mason Mount and Harry Wilson are set to make their Derby County debuts in Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Southampton.
The Rams will face Mark Hughes’ Saints at Pride Park Stadium in what will be their third pre-season outing, kick-off: 3pm.
Mount and Wilson signed season-long loan deals on Tuesday, but were not named in the squad that travelled to the One Call Stadium to face Mansfield Town on Wednesday evening.
The pair, signed from Chelsea and Liverpool respectively, were in attendance for the fixture and watched their new team-mates from the stands.
On Saturday, though, they are expected to pull on the Derby shirt for the first time and Lampard, the Rams manager, is hoping to see glimpses of the ‘quality and hunger’ that Mount and Wilson offer
“It’s caught the imagination and I am pleased that’s the case because they are exciting young players,” he told RamsTV.
“Their attitude and mentality since they walked into the building has been great. They have really brought a breath of fresh air that youth can bring into the team.
“They have shown that quality as well. They feel it, their team-mates feel it and I am really pleased the fans are feeling it.
“We need to make sure we don’t get too excited too soon – it’s still pre-season for them as well – so we’re hoping to see signs of what they are going to do for us.
“I’m confident that they will both be great for us. Here’s hoping the quality and hunger they have, which I have seen already, will make them important players for us this season.”