Derby County are edging closer to their day of destiny with two matches of the season left to secure promotion back to the Championship.
Derby make the trip south to Cambridge United on Saturday knowing just four points would send them up to the Championship, regardless of results elsewhere.
The Rams returned to winning ways last weekend by dispatching Leyton Orient 3-0. Meanwhile, Bolton Wanderers drew against Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday night, handing Paul Warne‘s men the initiative in the race for promotion.
Despite winning nine of their 14 away matches against sides 10th or lower in League One, a trip to Cambridge United promises to be a difficult test as The U’s still need a win to guarantee their safety.
Ahead of the clash, Warne has been boosted by some injury news with a few first-team players poised to return.
Derby County team news
An injury pile-up at Pride Park has been a common theme throughout this campaign, with Warne revealing that Joe Ward will miss the last two matches following his knee injury against Portsmouth.
He’s joined on the injury table with Craig Forsyth, Jake Rooney, Ryan Nyambe and striker Dwight Gayle.
As for the players set to comeback against Cambridge United; academy graduate Max Bird has trained all week and left-back Callum Elder is gearing up for a return.
On-loan Arsenal striker Tyreece John-Jules has also been given the green light to return to Derby and will hope to make the matchday squad at home to Carlisle.
With Bird back for his final two matches in a Derby shirt, Warne faces a selection dilemma as he ponders making changes for their trip to Cambridge.
Derby County predicted XI v Cambridge
Joe Wildsmith continues his role between the sticks against Cambridge.
Warne reverted to a back three against Leyton Orient and it worked wonders as the much-maligned Sonny Bradley scored a brace alongside Eiran Cashin and Curtis Nelson.
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That reliable trio will form a solid base defensively while allowing wing-backs Kane Wilson and Louie Sibley to drive up and down the flanks.
Derby’s most reliable position recently has been in central midfield with tackling machine Ebou Adams deployed next to the energetic Korey Smith.
Although Warne will be tempted to throw Bird in at attacking midfield as he enters the final chapter of his Rams career, Liam Thompson didn’t put a foot wrong against Orient.
That leaves James Collins – who is targeting 20 goals this season – partnering Nathaniel Mendez-Laing up top.
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