No warm welcome for Keogh or Holmes as Derby host Huddersfield

A couple of familiar faces are poised for their Pride Park return on Tuesday evening as a Huddersfield Town squad featuring Richard Keogh and Duane Holmes make their way into the East Midlands to face Derby County.

The duo are set to face their former club for the first time since their exits, adding further fuel to the fire in what is already teed up to be a fascinating encounter.

Derby sit 19th, with the Terriers 18th ahead of kick-off. Just two points separate the sides, however, Wayne Rooney’s men do have a game in hand over their upcoming opponents due to postponements in their previous fixtures.

Five wins in their last seven makes great reading for the Rams, who were unlucky not to salvage a point last time out against a Watford side chasing their Premier League homecoming.

Prior to the pandemic, Derby had made their home ground somewhat of a fortress in the Championship, rarely succumbing to defeat there in recent seasons.

Without supporters in the stadium, the walls of the aforementioned fortress had begun to crumble, though, with the Rooney resurgence now well underway, a metaphorical reconstruction appears to have started as the Rams’ Pride Park form appears to be on the up.

Three wins from their last three home games for Derby, conceding just once in the process, will be an almighty confidence boost heading into this crunch clash with Carlos Corberán’s side.

Huddersfield shall not be short of confidence either following their last match up, dispatching four past a 4th place Swansea who have their goals fixated on an automatic promotion spot this campaign.

Keogh played for the entirety of the Terriers’ emphatic win, with spritely midfielder Holmes being substituted with little over five minutes of normal time remaining, that is of course after he had bagged a brace for the West Yorkshire outfit.

Their 4-1 victory put an end to a woeful run of form dating back to January 2nd, an eight-game spell during which Corberán’s squad picked up a mere two points.

The six defeats and two draws transformed the Terriers from a side sure of maintaining their mid-table position, to a side who must now look over their shoulder with the relegation zone just seven points away and 22nd place Rotherham boasting two games in hand over their Yorkshire counterparts.

The ex-Rams will be keen to get one over on their former employers due to the nature of their departures. Both fell into heavy criticism during their time with Derby, Keogh more so than Holmes, but they shall both have a point to prove nonetheless.

Keogh captained Derby for a number of years prior to his sacking, leading the Rams out at Wembley on two play-off final occasions, unfortunately both ending in defeat. He had his contract terminated with immediate effect subsequent to his inclusion in the infamous car crash scandal despite Mason Bennett and Tom Lawrence, the two drivers on the night, keeping their contracts with the club.

The centre-back, now 34 years old, is in an ongoing legal battle with Derby as it stands, pleading a case for unfair dismissal. As reported by The Daily Mail, the Rams may have to pay Keogh up to £2m if his plea is successful, an unwelcome transaction for a club already hit with financial difficulties. He will certainly not be the most popular player on the pitch come 7pm.

Rooney has told his players not to speak to Holmes or Keogh before or during the fixture, stating his players must focus on their jobs. A frosty reception is to be expected, but the rest of the Huddersfield squad will definitely be backing their new boys as they aim to help the pair gain bragging rights over their previous colleagues by increasing the gap above them in the table.

Team News

Derby are likely to have an unchanged squad from their previous fixture with no fresh injury concerns coming to light.

Brighton and Hove Albion loanee Matt Clarke will face a late fitness check following the hip problem he sustained against Wycombe last Tuesday.

The Rams are still without Tom Lawrence who, despite returning to training, is not yet fit enough for the matchday squad. His ankle injury has kept him out of the last twelve games.

For the visitors, full-back Harry Toffolo is unavailable. Having served his three game suspension he was in line to make the squad, but a back problem will prohibit him from doing so against Derby.

Huddersfield are also unlikely to have Jonathan Hogg available, he is a doubt following an injury sustained against Swansea.

Corberán will be boosted by the potential return of Isaac Mbenza. The midfielder took part in training on Monday and could be involved in the squad to face Rooney’s side.