Derby County will be looking to get their automatic promotion hopes back on track when they host Blackpool at Pride Park.
Derby missed the chance to move seven points clear of Bolton Wanderers in third by losing 1-0 against Northampton Town last time out.
That still left the Rams holding a four-point gap on Ian Evatt’s side and with six games left, there is little room for error in what promises to be a fascinating climax to the season.
Paul Warne hasn’t been helped by an injury pile-up this term as the former Rotherham boss admitted he could name a starting XI made up of just injured players, such is the problems he’s faced.
Derby were boosted by two significant pieces of injury news this week, though, with top scorer James Collins and electric winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing declared fit.
Collins has returned after a six-week absence while Mendez-Laing’s scan came back all clear, which means he’s in contention to face the Tangerines.
There is also likely to be a change in formation,reverting to a 4-3-3 formation after Sonny Bradley received a red card and Craig Forsyth suffered an injury.
Here is how Derby could line up against Blackpool…
Derby County predicted XI v Blackpool
Joe Wildsmith is one of several first-team players whose contract expires in the summer, but his performances – particularly in recent weeks – warrant a new deal. The former Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper starts once more against Blackpool.
Reverting to a 4-3-3 system will see Kane Wilson thrown in at right back with the colossal defensive duo of Curtis Nelson and Eiran Cashin in the middle alongside Louie Sibley at left-back.
Sibley’s place in the team isn’t guaranteed, especially with Callum Elder breathing down his neck, but the academy graduate is more attacking than the Aussie and he’ll be looking to provide quality ammunition into the box.
Derby’s midfield was overrun at Sixfields, with Warne looking to win the engine room battle by placing an extra body in there. Ebou Adams will likely anchor in a defensive midfield role with Conor Hourihane sprinkling his creativity just ahead and the energetic Korey Smith next to him.
Smith rarely starts these days, however, his energy and dynamism will be needed in a contest that is expected to be full-throttle.
With Warne unlikely to throw Mendez-Laing in from the start, Joe Ward could get a chance down the right, presenting an opportunity for Corey Blackett-Taylor to play in his favoured left-wing position.
After watching his “outstanding” top scorer return to full fitness, the temptation will be there to throw him in from the start – and he just may follow through – replacing Waghorn with Collins this afternoon.
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