Out-of-form Derby must show what they’re capable of against a recently inspired Huddersfield Town.

Phillip Cocu will hope his injury-stricken squad can collect a result away to Huddersfield as pressure begins to build on the Rams’ boss.

Derby have lost all but one of their Championship fixtures so far this campaign, a smash-and-grab victory against Norwich providing their only points so far. Before that, consecutive defeats at the hands of Reading, Luton and Blackburn made grim viewing for supporters. The Rams currently sit 21st in the table, just one point above the drop zone.

Despite performances improving in recent weeks, points must begin to follow or they may find themselves looking down the barrel of a very bleak season. 

Huddersfield, however, seem to have picked up newfound confidence. Recent victories over Nottingham Forest and Swansea, either side of a 1-1 draw with Rotherham, mean the Terriers are unbeaten in three games and sit 13th placed, just two points off the top six. 

Carlos Corberan will be pleased with the determination his side has shown in recent fixtures, following an initial poor start to the season in which all three matches ended in defeat.

The victory over last year’s Play-Off semi-finalists at the weekend will definitely have bred optimism throughout the Terriers’ changing room. 

Team News 

As if injuries to key players hadn’t blighted the Rams’ season enough already, Cocu’s men will face Huddersfield without their captain and talisman Wayne Rooney. 

News broke on Saturday that Rooney had been in contact with someone who’d tested positive for Coronavirus, resulting in an emergency covid test. The test came back negative, though under government guidelines he’ll still be forced to self-isolate for two weeks, making him unavailable for selection.

Cocu will be boosted by the news that Martyn Waghorn is ‘due to be back’ in the squad for the trip, whereas Tom Lawrence and Kamil Jozwiak are both fit to play from the start if needed.

It may still be too soon for new signings Colin-Kazim Richards and Jordon Ibe to feature for the Rams as they work towards being game ready. Louie Sibley will also miss out on this fixture, but is back in training following a hamstring problem. 

Huddersfield are working with the same squad that was available for their latest fixture against Swansea.

Joel Pereira may be back on the bench tomorrow following a slight back problem which saw him withdraw from the squad last time out, however, Danny Ward and Rarmani Edmonds-Green are still in need of more time before returning.

New signing Alex Vallejo may be in line to make his debut. The 28-year-old signed as a free agent on Sunday afternoon to provide competition for Jonathan Hogg.

Phillip Cocu on recent form and facing Huddersfield Town.

“If you play 10 games like we did against Watford you would probably win 7, a draw, and lose 2. It’s the way we have to continue, the right attitude, good spirit and when we had the ball we kept it well, just in that final third we couldn’t score the goal.”

“We need a win, but we also need a good performance. We have to adjust a few things now within the squad and players we have. It won’t be an easy game.”

“We got a win there last season, which is maybe a positive feeling for the players going into it. But, we have put our best effort on, and if we do, then we are capable of beating any team.”

“We need some good results, everybody knows and is aware of it.”

Carlos Corberan made his feelings clear ahead of the clash.

“We want to keep improving as a team from a defensive point of view. We need to demand a high level in defence.”

“We always need to play the game with a competitive spirit; that’s one of our values.”

“Our group of players have strong ambitions to change the situation they’ve been in.”

“We need to keep fighting and to keep this mentality in the team.”

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