Rooney’s Rams face trip to Hillsborough as they look to build on impressive form

Derby County will travel up the M1 on New Year’s Day as they go head to head with a managerless Sheffield Wednesday side eyeing an escape from the relegation zone.

The Owls sacked Tony Pulis shortly before their latest fixture, seeing the 62-year-old become Sheffield Wednesday’s shortest reigning manager in history. Pulis was in charge for ten games, picking up seven points from a possible 30.

First-team coach Neil Thompson has taken temporary charge whilst the search for a new manager is underway and it’s so far, so good for the former Ipswich Town man as he guided his side to a 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough during his first game in charge.

Sheffield Wednesday are currently sit 22nd, just three points away from safety. They have to beat Derby if they’re to stand any chance of escaping the bottom three during this game week. It’s worth noting that if not for the Owls’ points deduction then they would currently be sat 19th, meaning the league table hasn’t been an entirely accurate reflection of their performances thus far. 

Josh Windass is the leading goal scorer for the Owls at this point in the season, the 26-year-old currently has four goals to his name and is a regular in the starting eleven, highlighting himself as a player to keep an eye on. 

Derby have had quite the turn around in form. Thanks to their latest triumph, a 4-0 away victory over Birmingham City, the Rams are now out of the relegation zone with a game in hand over three of the four teams presently below them in the table.

Wayne Rooney is now the sole interim manager at the club and is expected to take full charge of the Rams once their takeover is complete. Derby have kept five clean sheets in their last six matches and in doing so have climbed from the foot of the table to 20th under Rooney’s management. 

The man of the match last time out for the Rams was young Irishman, Jason Knight. The teenager has been nothing short of relentless in the middle of the park and is without doubt one of the first names on the team sheet each week.

His unmatched energy levels see him stand out as a driving force in this Derby side and his smart finish against Birmingham on Tuesday made him the club’s joint-top scorer this season, now with three goals to his name. 

Team News

Joost van Aken and Adam Reach missed the Owls’ win over Middlesbrough but are set to be assessed ahead of their clash with the Rams. Julian Börner and Massimo Luongo are unlikely to feature as the pair continue with their respective recoveries from injury.

Matt Penney made his first appearance for Sheffield Wednesday since September on Tuesday, the academy product is set to be involved again this Friday.

Rooney is still without forward Martyn Waghorn due to the suspension he picked up against Preston North End in which he has served one game from his three-match ban. 

Tom Lawrence looks set to miss out again following his ankle injury sustained against Stoke City, meaning it’s likely that Louie Sibley will maintain his position in the starting eleven.

Curtis Davies is set for a long spell out of action so shall not be involved whereas questions have also been raised regarding whether or not Jordon Ibe will feature in the squad due to the club opening an internal investigation into the 25-year-old in recent days.