3/1 To Win
Derby County Head Coach Paul Warne says he's looking forward to returning to action against Portsmouth after a productive international break.
The Rams return to Sky Bet League One action for the first time in two weeks on Saturday, and are back at Pride Park Stadium for the first time since mid-August, and face a Pompey side that are unbeaten in their opening six league outings.
Speaking to RamsTV, Warne previewed the clash and gave an update on injured duo Liam Thompson and Jake Rooney, both of whom are facing spells on the sidelines.
On the injury situation...
Unfortunately for Tommo, he worked incredibly well over pre-season and got himself in really good shape, forced is way into the team and was probably our stand-out performer, he is out for a while. To lose him has been a massive blow. If you'd have asked me which player was least likely to get a muscle injury it would have probably been him because he's very fit and resilient.
He's pulled the top of his quad and as soon as he put his hand up I knew there was a problem. It's a pretty severe tear at the top of his thigh and he's out from around 8-10 weeks from when he did it. I don't think we'll see him until the end of November time.
Jake Rooney is worst case scenario with it being an anterior cruciate ligament injury. It was really innocuous, but it's one of those things. He'll have an operation next week and whether he'll get back at all this season, I don't know. Hopefully he will return before the end of the season but it's a long-term injury and it will be a long road for him. He's got a really supportive team around him and good friends in the dressing room that will help him through it. It's hard for young lads to find their way in the game but he'll come back stronger and better and get himself in a really good shape for hopefully a good career when he returns.
On how he manages players with long-term injuries...
I've told Jake he needs to learn a musical instrument or learn a language or read something he's always wanted to read. You don't very often get a chance in life where for the next seven months you can do loads of different things. I want him to use his time well.
If all Jake thinks about, and this is young players generally when they are injured, is the injury and his mental health, I don't think the body repairs as quickly. You have to be happy in life for your body to repair.
When I see the injured lads, I make an effort ot ensure they are involved still. Wherever the injured lads are I will always go over and speak to them and want them to know they are part of us. You keep try and keep them involved but all the thoughts and feelings they have are from their own drive and brain.
On the international break...
I love an international break. We've been able to get a few bodies back and it was nice to have some time on the training pitch away from the physical pressure of a game.
We've been able to train them a little bit harder and do a little bit more. We've had a good couple of weeks training and we had a game amongst ourselves at the end of last week. We've been able to put work into Kane Wilson, Tom Barkhuizen and Louie Sibley. Elliot Embelton is now in the building and he played 45 minutes for the Under-21s on Tuesday so he's getting closer.
Tyrese Fornah has spent more time with the lads, as has Tyreece John-Jules, so it's nice for them to spend time and get settled in a more relaxed environment.
On Portsmouth...
They are a really good side. Their new players have integrated really well and they will be pleased with their start. 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 and bring a good following too. It should be a great atmosphere and a great game. You don't hear me say this often but I'm looking forward to the game!
