Derby County are braced for a momentous day in their history as they can clinch promotion against Carlisle United.
Just a point is required for Derby to be playing Championship football next season as Bolton Wanderers find themselves three points behind.
For any football club, days like this don’t come around often and the Rams will ensure they’re celebrating a return to the second tier come 2:30pm with the game kicking off at 12:30pm on Saturday.
Derby were last promoted 17 years ago as Stephen Pearson’s winner against West Brom in the 2007 play-off final secured their return to the Premier League.
The Rams were infamously relegated the following season with an unwanted record of 11 points accrued and 89 goals conceded, with Sheffield United breaking that goal record against Manchester United last night.
Ahead of their clash against Carlisle, Paul Warne will be ready to wave goodbye to several first-teamers – including academy graduate Max Bird – who will head to Bristol City after signing for the Robins in January.
Derby County team news
Warne has been boosted by the return of on-loan Arsenal striker Tyreece John-Jules, who could play some part against Carlisle this weekend.
The Derby boss is also hopeful that Dwight Gayle can make an appearance following an injury but may not risk the veteran striker in case they end up in the play-offs.
Craig Forsyth is in a similar boat to Gayle, while Ryan Nyambe, Joe Ward and Jake Rooney are all still sidelined till pre-season.
Derby County predicted XI v Carlisle United
As usual, Joe Wildsmith will line up in between the sticks for Derby. He’s been excellent during the business end of the season and is deserving of a new contract.
Since Warne slotted Sonny Bradley back into defence, the Rams have looked more solid with Eiran Cashin and Player of the Season Curtis Nelson flanking the ex-Luton Town defender.
With a three-man defence, Warne has encouraged Kane Wilson and Louie Sibley to fly down the right and left flank. The Rams will need their width to stretch Carlisle’s anticipated low block.
Similarly to the defence, Korey Smith and Ebou Adams have formed a partnership that is flourishing in midfield. The pair complement each other well with their defensive nous and energy.
Just ahead of that duo has been Liam Thompson in the past few matches however, in his final game for the club, it seems fitting to play Max Bird in attacking midfield.
The 23-year-old will look to provide quality for Derby’s deadly duo of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing – who scored the winner against Cambridge – and top scorer James Collins.
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