A former Derby County favourite can play a vital role in the League One promotion race.
Derby County have a break from league action this weekend before they face Wycombe Wanderers next weekend as they aim to clinch automatic promotion.
The Rams secured a vital point against leaders Portsmouth on Tuesday night, although it could have been all three had Owen Moxon not hit a stunning strike with 13 minutes remaining.
With Derby not in action this weekend due to Wycombe Wanderers playing against Portsmouth in the EFL Trophy final, Paul Warne‘s men have a welcomed break before their final four games.
The League One promotion picture
As it stands, Derby sit second in League One with a four-point buffer on third-place Bolton Wanderers while Portsmouth are five points clear at the top.
Despite Warne previously outlining his ambitions of winning the league title, it looks as though three points against Pompey was imperative for him to achieve that aim.
While his side didn’t manage that, coming away from Fratton Park with a point did at least put extra pressure on his rivals to deliver, who are all in action this weekend.
There are currently three teams who are chasing automatic promotion. Peterborough and Barnsley are gridlocked on 74 points, eight behind Derby, but having played two games fewer.
Bolton, meanwhile, can move a point behind Derby by beating Bristol Rovers this weekend.
It’s at that stage of the campaign where teams rely on others for a helping hand, and the Rams will call on one of their former fan favourites to deliver against the Trotters this weekend.
Chris Martin will play against Bolton on Saturday
Chris Martin rose to prominence as a fan favourite at Pride Park having delivered 76 goals and 38 assists in 224 appearances for the club.
Now, at 35-years-old, he’s continuing his legacy of scoring goals for League One rivals Bristol Rovers.
With 15 in 30 matches for The Gas this term, Martin has proven that, despite his age, he knows where the back of the net is.
The lethal finisher poses a threat physically, winning duels against defenders and making clever runs into the penalty area.
Derby will be hoping he can carry a similar threat against Bolton this weekend, with the Rams desperate for Ian Evatt’s side to drop points and preserve their four-point lead.
Martin has scored three goals in 10 appearances against the Trotters, so if he can make it a fourth this weekend and condemn their rivals to a defeat, they’ll be singing his name in the streets of Derbyshire once more.
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