Ebiowei Handed Full Debut As Rooney Makes Two Changes For Barnsley Clash

Malcolm Ebiowei has been handed his full Derby County debut as manager Wayne Rooney makes two changes to the side which faced Cardiff City on Tuesday night for this afternoon’s Sky Bet Championship clash against Barnsley (3pm kick-off).

The Rams have the opportunity to leapfrog their opponents in the Sky Bet Championship table should they pick up three points and Rooney has elected to hand the young Academy prospect his full league debut.

Ebiowei first appeared in the latter stages of the 3-1 victory over Hull City at the start of February, following a number of impressive appearances for the Rams’ Under-18s this term, and has gone on to make a further four appearances from the bench.

But, Rooney has put his faith in the youngster from the off as he is one of two changes for the Rams against the Tykes.

There is also a return to the starting line-up for Tom Lawrence who returns to the side after serving a three-match suspension following his sending off against Peterborough United last month.

He will wear the captain’s armband upon his return as full back Lee Buchanan and midfielder Jason Knight revert to the substitute’s bench.

Derby County: Allsop, Byrne, Bielik, Bird, Lawrence (C), Morrison, Ebiowei, Davies, Ebosele, Cashin, Plange.

Substitutes: Roos, Kazim-Richards, Stearman, Sibley, Buchanan, Knight, Thompson.

Barnsley: Collins, Styles, Anderson (C), Brittain, Morris, Gomes, Vita, Bassi, Quina, Helik, Wolfe.

Substitutes: Walton, Kitching, Benson, Palmer, Oduor, Halme, Cole.