Hull City entertain Wayne Rooney’s depleted and out of luck Derby County

As Derby County’s off the field problems continue to affect matters on the pitch, Wednesday’s fixture will be a notable opportunity for newly promoted Hull City to pick up three points albeit so early on in the season.

Despite both sides registering disappointing sets of results at the weekend, the manager’s from each camp will be glad of an immediate fixture to quickly lift any negativity.

With Derby still under embargo and with a squad short on experience, Wayne Rooney has harboured concern that the longer the situation goes on with the EFL, the more likely it is that he may struggle to field a competitive side in the Championship.

If matters couldn’t get worse for Derby’s personnel situation, they were dealt a huge blow as the influential Colin Kazim-Richards picked up a serious-looking injury away at Peterborough that saw him stretchered off the pitch.

The forward has genuinely inspired Rams supporters in the last year amidst their off the field troubles and was a key figure in their relegation battle, which saw them leapfrog Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe Wanderers to retain their Championship status in May.

As a consequence of the injury, Derby are understood to have approached the EFL for a potential lifeline that, according to Sky Sports, will allow them to bring striker Sam Baldock in, given that Rooney’s squad has suffered a long-term injury.

Young talents Lee Buchanan and Jason Knight will still be unavailable, as well as long-term absentee Krystian Bielik which leaves Rooney’s options limited. Derby have been able to secure a short term deal for veteran and former Sheffield United and England defender Phil Jagielka, and it is hoped that he will be available for the trip to Humberside.

Following Saturday’s disastrous end at Peterborough, which saw them surrender a 1-0 lead to concede two goals in the latter stages of the match, Rooney will be hopeful that the EFL can hand him a much-needed boost.

Despite their difficulties, the positives for the Rams have been the initial performances of a number of academy graduates at the club. Building on the recent graduation of Buchanan, Knight, Max Bird and Louie Sibley as regular first-teamers/squad players, there is plenty to be hopeful about on the pitch for Derby supporters despite the disarray the club currently finds itself in.

19-year-old Scottish forward Jack Stretton came off the bench to score a well-taken goal against the Posh whilst Irish midfielder Louie Watson has put in some encouraging performances, particularly with his use of the ball that also saw him score his side’s winner against Real Betis during pre-season.

19-year-old Festy Ebosele has also featured in each game so far and picked up a Man of the Match award in front of the television cameras in Derby’s penalty shootout victory over Salford City in the Carabao Cup.

Despite being defeated 3-0 by Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, Hull City manager Grant McCann drew positives from the loss and will be looking to get back on track following their opening day euphoria at Preston North End. Having lost to Wigan Athletic in the Carabao Cup on penalties and losing again at the weekend, McCann remained confident that his side can get back to picking results up with greater concentration.

“The boys are hurting after QPR but we will bounce back.

“I’ve seen enough over the two games in the league so far to know that we will be ultra-competitive in this division and today will maybe act as a little reminder that we just need to be better in certain areas.”

McCann is keen for the fans to get behind the club and turn out once more in similar numbers to Saturday in supporting the current group with many homegrown players within the squad.

“I must say, I felt our fans were outstanding, it felt great to have them back supporting us.

“Hopefully they can see over the last two games what a good group of players they’ve got here and they continue to come.

“It’s another opportunity to get three points, and hopefully we can go into it and be competitive and try to do that.”

Hull will have Tom Huddlestone available for selection following the departure of Thomas Mayer on Monday. He rejoins the club for the second spell in his career and has initially signed a one-year deal with an option of a further year.

“We are delighted to bring Tom back to the club. His experience and quality will be invaluable for us this season and he will certainly benefit the young players we have in our squad.

“Having been with us now for nearly four weeks, he’s getting fitter every day and we will continue to get him sharper and fitter as the weeks go on.”

Huddlestone could make his debut against his former club, having impressed McCann during pre-season. The Tigers will continue to be without the injured George Honeyman and fellow midfielder, George Moncur who was sent off in the defeat to Rangers at the weekend.

Despite this being matchday three of the Championship season, the fixture does have the sense of a potential ‘six pointer’ scenario about it, with both clubs looking first and foremostly at consolidation in the second tier.

 

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