Derby County return to Sky Bet League One action following the international break on Saturday and a tough test against Portsmouth awaits at Pride Park Stadium (3pm kick-off).
Pompey come to Derbyshire unbeaten in league action this term with three wins and three draws, while Derby are back in action on home turf for the first time in almost a month.
In the lead-up to the game getting underway, dcfc.co.uk has brought together all the key information you need to know...
Rams Team News
Goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith received a straight red card in the 2-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers last time out but, after an appeal, the decision was overturned and he is once again available for selection.
Midfielder Liam Thompson suffered an injury to his quad during a training session prior to the international break and is facing around eight weeks on the sidelines.
Midfielder Max Bird (ankle) has stepped up his recovery after just over a month out of action but is yet to return to full-contact training.
Wing-back Joe Ward (heel) is also progressing well a month on from being sidelined but is also yet to resume training with the first-team.
Defender Kane Wilson (hamstring) is back in full training ahead of this weekend although it remains to be seen if he will be included in the matchday squad after a month out of action.
Attacking midfielder Louie Sibley (groin) has also returned to training this week and could be available for selection against Pompey but, after making just once appearance this season, is being eased back into action.
Forward Tom Barkhuizen (calf) played over 70 minutes for the Under-21s in their 5-2 win over Lincoln City in the Central League Cup in midweek as he builds up his fitness after being out of action since pre-season. He could be included in the matchday squad as he looks to make his first competitive appearance of the season.
Deadline day addition Elliot Embleton completed 45 minutes for the Under-21s against Lincoln on Tuesday as the attacking midfielder builds up his fitness following a lengthy lay-off with an ankle injury with his parent club Sunderland last season.
Pre-Match Thoughts
Head Coach Paul Warne spoke to RamsTV ahead of Saturday's game.
He said: "Portsmouth are a really good side. Their new players have integrated themselves really well and they will be pleased with their start to the season.
"We have to be, as we always have to be, at our very best to win a game.
"They will come here full of confidence, as they should do, and bring a good following. It should be a great atmosphere and a great game."
Defender Callum Elder sat down with RamsTV to preview Saturday's clash with Portsmouth.
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He said: "As we move forward we need to stamp our authority on this league. We've got a great group of players, a great coaching staff.
"We are all in it together and now is an important time to show our qualities and strengths in the division."
Match Officials
Rebecca Welch will take charge of Saturday's game at Pride Park.
Paul Hodskinson and James Wilson will assist her whilst Ruebyn Ricardo has been appointed as Fourth Official for the contest.
Welch is no stranger to Pride Park having refereed the 2-0 home victory over Cheltenham Town in the 2022/23 season.
Last year saw her become the first female to officiate a Championship game when she oversaw the clash between Birmingham City and Preston North End.
Ticket Details
There's still time to purchase your ticket for Saturday's game at Pride Park!
Ticket Prices
Behind Goal
£4 - Child (Age 6-12)
£8 - Junior (Age 13-17)
£12 - Young Adult (Age 18-21)
£16 - Adult (Age 22-64)
£12 - Senior (Age 65+)
FREE - Infants (Age 2-5)
Corner
£5 - Child (Age 6-12)
£10 - Junior (Age 13-17)
£15 - Young Adult (Age 18-21)
£20 - Adult (Age 22-64)
£15 - Senior (Age 65+)
FREE - Infants (Age 2-5)
Sideline
£6 - Child (Age 6-12)
£12 - Junior (Age 13-17)
£18 - Young Adult (Age 18-21)
£24 - Adult (Age 22-64)
£18 - Senior (Age 65+)
FREE - Infants (Age 2-5)
Please Note: Proof of age may be requested on entry for age-related concession tickets. Infants, Children and Juniors aged 2-15 must be accompanied by an individual aged 18+/Parent/Guardian. Disabled Supporters’ information is available byClicking Here.
How To Buy
Online (Subject to £1 per ticket Booking Fee and available up to TWO hours before kick-off)
Visit dcfc.co.uk and click ‘TICKETS’ then, under the ‘TICKETS’ section, click ‘HOME TICKETS’.
Use your Fan ID and password to log into the system. If there’s an issue, click the ‘forgot password’ link on the login page. If the issue persists, email [email protected].
Phone (Subject to £1 per ticket Booking Fee and available up to ONE hour before kick-off)
Call 0871 472 1884 * between 10am-4pm on Monday-Saturday and select Option 1. Ensure your contact details are readily available including Fan ID, Full Name, Full Address and Date of Birth.
Tickets can either be posted up to 72 hours before matchday and are subject to £2 per Transaction Postage Fee or can collected from the Ticket Office, presented by Seat Geek, which is open 10am-4pm from Monday to Saturday and at least THREE hours before kick-off and up to half-time on home matchdays.
* 0871 numbers are charged at 13p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.
In Person (No Booking Fee)
The Ticket Office, presented by Seat Geek, is open from 10am-4pm between Monday and Saturday and at least THREE hours before kick-off and up to half-time on home matchdays.
Rams Family Area
The North Stand Family Area is Derby County’s appointed child-friendly space at Pride Park Stadium – and Saturday’s game is the official launch of the NEW LOOK Family Area!
For the 2023/24 season, the Rams have decided to freshen up the concourse for families located in the Family Area to deliver more of an interactive and exciting matchday experience for youngsters.
This has been inspired by the EFL’s Family Excellence and Fan Engagement reports and the club has extensively looked at ways to enhance the matchday offering.
Those in attendance will get to enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere with brand-new entertainment on offer, together with a special appearance from club mascots Rammie and Ewie.
There’s also a special journey for young fans to take in the Family Area that allows them to walk in the shoes of a Derby County footballer and also learn more about the club at the same time.
Matchday Programme
There is no more fitting accompaniment to a matchday than the club’s official programme.
The universally adored ‘The Ram’ is back once again to track Paul Warne’s side’s progress throughout what promises to be another exciting League One campaign.
Rammed with exclusive content and features, including insights from both Head Coach Warne and the dressing room, in-depth player interviews, opposition analysis, Derby County Women, an Academy round-up and historical dives, issues will be available for sale around the stadium - as always - with all sellers armed with contactless payments units.
If you can’t make every matchday this season though you can still make sure you keep your treasured collection up to date with a full season subscription.
This edition features:
* Exclusive interview with forward Martyn Waghorn
* Head Coach Paul Warne's exclusive pre-match thoughts
* A closer look at Portsmouth and the test they'll post
* An in-depth chat with Derby County Women's Emily Joyce
* A review of the latest Academy news from Moor Farm
* A round-up of the news from Derby County Community Trust
* Expert insight from Derby Telegraph's Derby County writer Leigh Curtis
* A chance to test your knowledge with The Ram's Matchday Quiz
* And much, much more!
The treasured A5-size 52-page perfect-bound issues will be produced to a schedule that allows for a first-class mail out on the Friday before a weekend fixture, with midweek editions despatched on the day of the game, but this is not a pre-event delivery service.
The price to reserve this collection of memorabilia is £120, including post and packaging, or you can spread the cost by signing up to a half-season subscription for £64 until 2024 for the first 12 games.
You can pre-order now from the club’s official publishing partners Ignition Sports Media by visiting:ignitionsportsmedia.com/products/copy-of-derby-county-full-season-subscription-2023-24.
The subscriptions DO NOT include any additional domestic cup or play-off matches, which must be purchased separately.
* Please note that this subscription is not for supporters Overseas, but an Overseas Bundle is available for all editions for 2023/24 which will be despatched by international tracked courier on two occasions during the season
Pre-Match Applause
Fans of both Derby County and Portsmouth are asked to unite in a minutes applause prior to Saturday's kick-off to remember those impacted by last Friday's devasting earthquake in Morocco and the unprecedented floods in Libya.
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The earthquake which struck Morocco on Friday 8 September has caused widespread destruction and building collapses have resulted in loss of life and thousands of casualties. The number of people affected is in the hundreds of thousands.
Thousands of people have lost their lives and more are missing after Storm Daniel triggered flash floods across north-eastern Libya.
The EFL's official charity partner, the British Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal.
You can offer your support here: Libya Floods Appeal supported by EFL
RamsTV Details
Domestic Streaming
This match is NOT available for live domestic streaming under the EFL’s streaming rights for the 2023/24 season.
The domestic market comprises United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man.
International Streaming
All Sky Bet League One matches may be streamed outside of the domestic market irrespective of whether they have been selected for broadcast.
This means that they will be available both on a Match-by-Match basis and for monthly subscribers.
To buy the match as a Match-by-Match fixture, for £10 per match, or to subscribe to RamsTV on a monthly basis for £19.99 per month, click here.
Audio Commentary
Live audio commentary, provided by BBC Radio Derby, is available online ONLY on dcfc.co.uk.
A monthly audio subscription pass is available for £5 per month and purchases can be made by clicking here
Home Supporter Guide
If you're a Derby County supporter attending the fixture at Pride Park Stadium, you can find a wide range of details in our Home Supporter Guide by clicking here.
Visiting Supporters Guide
If you are a fan of our opposition at Pride Park Stadium, full information on visiting Derby County can be found in our Visiting Supporters Guide by clicking here.
