Derby V Blackpool at The iPro Stadium - Match Preview




As you were for Rams

Derby will probably have an unchanged squad for the clash with Blackpool.


The Rams are not thought to have incurred any new problems as they recorded a fourth straight Sky Bet Championship victory at home to Middlesbrough in midweek to climb up to fourth in the table.


Head coach Steve McClaren made one change to his starting line-up on Wednesday night, with the fit-again Jamie Ward replacing the only-just-fit-again Johnny Russell.


Conor Sammon staked his claim for a recall with the last-gasp winner against Boro while Jeff Hendrick, Mason Bennett and Kalifa Cisse will also be vying for starting roles, and on-loan Manchester United defender Michael Keane still awaits his debut.


Blackpool's continued disciplinary problems will deplete their ranks when they travel to the newly-named iPro Stadium.


The Seasiders had three players - Ricardo Fuller, Gary MacKenzie and Kirk Broadfoot - sent off in the loss to Yeovil on Tuesday night, meaning they have now had six dismissals already this term.


Boss Paul Ince, whose own breaches of the law saw him serve a five-game stadium ban earlier in the campaign, must do without striker Fuller for three games, although defensive duo MacKenzie and Broadfoot are only absent for this match.


The lack of defensive options means Ince has his fingers crossed that Craig Cathcart passes a fitness test on his knee with loanee Bradley Orr still some five weeks away with a thigh problem.


Source: PA

Source: PA