Derby County

Matthew Cresswell
BBC Sport England

Derby County head coach Paul Warne has compared Curtis Nelson to a gladiator after the central defender signed a contract extension at Pride Park.

Since arriving from Blackpool on a free transfer in the summer of 2023, Nelson has featured in every game of the 61 league matches he has been available for.

"He’s played virtually every minute in the league for me since I’ve been in charge," Warne told BBC Radio Derby ahead of the Rams trip to Preston North End on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

"He’s been a brilliant gladiator on the pitch."

The 51-year-old added it was a straightforward decision to offer Nelson a one-year agreement, which will take his current deal to the end of June 2026.

"It wasn’t a very difficult one, the door wasn’t locked on either side for me, his agent or himself," Warne added.

"We spoke at the end of the season and I said in the typical manager terms that I would sort him out.

"He was never any trouble, he never knocked my door down, so he was nothing but a professional and hence why I want to keep him here."

"I know you can have defenders with different attributes but, for me, they have to defend first and then everything else is a Brucie Bonus and he’s definitely, I think, improved on the ball as well."

Warne also commended Nelson's leadership qualities in a young squad which has adapted well to life back in the Championship, where they currently sit 12th.

"What he’s like off the pitch, is perfect," Warne said. "He’s excellent in the gym, he looks after himself, football means something to him.

"He gets luggy in training if someone nutmegs him - he's everything you want in a footballer".

Dominic Dietrich
BBC Radio Derby senior sports journalist

Image source, Rex Features

Derby County boss Paul Warne was in a refreshed and upbeat mood this morning at Moor Farm after a two-week international break which saw only two of his first-team players called away to international duty - midfielder Ebou Adams and goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.

Warne now sets his sights on a busy period for the Rams which sees them with nine games before the new year in a variety of different kick-off times thanks to the new TV schedule.

The biggest takeaway from the press conference was the news of David Ozoh’s imminent return. Whilst Saturday at Preston will be too soon, Warne confirmed Ozoh will be back in full training with the squad next week.

The midfielder was a key part of all that was good about Derby in the opening six matches of the season before picking up an injury in the home victory against Cardiff in September.

His return will eventually come with heightened pressure but it's important to remember he is a 19-year old playing his first full season at senior level.

With Derby set to face Leeds twice, Burnley, Luton and West Brom across a tough December period, you'd have to think the Rams will want to try to make the most of Preston away next, followed by Swansea at home on Wednesday.

But, as with most Warne press conferences, it's all about the next game and every team in the Championship is strong.

Derby County midfielder David Ozoh is "close" to a return after missing the last two months through injury.

The 19-year-old Crystal Palace loanee last featured for the Rams in mid-September after picking up a hamstring injury.

Ozoh was set to return last month but suffered a setback when a quad muscle issue ruled him out for another four weeks.

"He keeps putting his face in front of mine at the buffet, so he's obviously getting closer," head coach Paul Warne told BBC Radio Derby's Rams Daily podcast in his press conference before Saturday's visit to Preston.

"When they're injured, the first few weeks, they don't want to look at the manager and when they get close, they start doing star jumps in front of the salad bowls.

"I've definitely noticed him more so that means he's obviously close. I've been told that he's going to train next week.

"It's obviously going to take him a little bit of time to catch up. I think the Sheffield Wednesday game will probably come too quick, but the one after [Leeds United on 7 December] possibly not."

Here's what else Warne also said:

• What have you made of Preston? Warne said: "I know how methodical he [Paul Heckingbottom] is and how well the team are coached. I think Preston are similar to virtually every team in the bottom 12 - that you wouldn't be surprised if they went and won three on the spin. I know how tough it's going to be and how much they want to get a home win against us, but in the same way, we're desperate to get back-to-back away wins. So we go into the game as we always do, trying to win it."

• On the benefit of the international break, he added: "Some have got some sun, some have had a city break, which they need because the next eight weeks, it feels like you're in every day. So it's a nice psychological rest and we've had a reasonable week this week."

You can listen to Warne's pre-match press conference on BBC Sounds.

Image source, BBC Sport

Preston are looking to end a run of five Championship games without a win (D3 L2) when they welcome Derby to Deepdale on Saturday afternoon.

The Rams have lost just once in their last seven (W2 D4) but have struggled away from Pride Park. However, they did pick up their first win on the road at Coventry in their last away game.

• Preston North End have won just two of their last 18 league games against Derby County (D5 L11), failing to score in eight of their last 10 matches against the Rams.

• Derby County have lost just one of their last nine away league games against Preston North End (W5 D3) despite failing to score on three of their last four visits to Deepdale.

• Since the start of April, only Coventry City (13) have lost more Championship matches than Preston North End (12).

• Derby manager Paul Warne ended a 17-game winless away run in the Championship with a 2-1 win over Coventry in their last away game. Warne last won consecutive Championship away games in March 2021 with Rotherham United.

• Derby County's Ebou Adams has made 60 tackles in the Championship this season, six more than any other player.

Image source, Getty Images

Award-winning football writer Henry Winter says the start Derby County have made to life back in the Championship should have the Rams looking ambitiously up the league ladder.

The Rams are 12th in the table after 15 games and are four points above the relegation places and six adrift of the play-off spots.

"I think a few people were thinking they would struggle, so actually they are doing pretty well," Winter told BBC East Midlands Today.

"And why shouldn't they look up?

"I mean, it's such a basket case of a division in terms of recruitment, in terms of decisions - it's actually quite nice to watch because there isn't VAR."

Derby's first game back since the international break will be a trip to Preston North End on Saturday.

On the latest episode of the Rams Daily podcast, BBC Radio Derby's Dominic Dietrich and former Derby County striker Malcolm Christie discuss how the midfield could offer the missing ingredient to becoming unlikely promotion contenders.

Derby have made an impressive return to the Championship with Paul Warne's side 12th and six points off the top six but their ball retention is proving a bone of contention.

The Rams rank 23rd overall for possession (42.5 percent) and 22nd for pass completion rate (74.3 percent).

"We are not the finished article and I think there's a nice look about this midfield but guys, whoever is playing in midfield, if you are listening - stop giving the ball away!" Christie said.

"That simple stat of being more progressive and better on the ball in midfield is an absolute key for me."

You can listen to Christie's full analysis on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Rex Features

BBC Radio Derby commentator Ed Dawes has reacted to Curtis Nelson signing a new deal to remain with Derby County until the summer of 2026.

"Curtis Nelson has been Mr Dependable for Paul Warne. Since his arrival he's been named in every league game for the Rams - that's 61 games, completing every minute of every one.

"He spearheaded the Rams promotion from League One last season with a partnership with Eiran Cashin based on solidity and understanding.

"He's also a major threat in opposition boxes and this season has scored two excellent goals with his head, as Derby's threat from set pieces stands out across the division.

"Getting him signed on for another year is essential for the team dynamic and growth going forward."

You can hear more from Dawes and others on BBC Radio Derby on the Rams Daily podcast.

Image source, BBC Sport/Rex Features

There are two Derby players who have been called up for senior international duty this week:

• Jacob Widell Zetterstrom for Sweden

• Ebou Adams for Gambia

You can keep up to date with how they are getting on using our scores and fixtures list.

Image source, Rex Features

Former West Bromwich Albion defender Jonas Olsson believes Derby County goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom can establish himself on the international stage.

The 26-year-old has been called up for Sweden and Olsson, who played 25 times for the country, has been impressed with Zetterstrom's progress.

"For a keeper to move abroad, that's something special," Olsson told BBC Radio Derby.

"We don't have a lot of Swedish goalkeepers who play abroad. I think there's like three or four, so obviously the focus on him is greater.

"I think if he continues doing well at Derby, he has every chance to get some game time with Sweden as well."

Olsson added: "What I think stands out as his biggest quality is his decision-making, his intelligence both on and off the field. He reads the game very well and makes good decisions from it.

"What separates defenders and keepers being Championship keepers or defenders from being Premier League keepers or defenders, it comes down a lot to your decision-making, your ability to read the game, your ability to learn from your mistakes.

"I think Jacob has, in every aspect, has got that quality. If you have that quality, and obviously all the other qualities, then I don't think the step from Championship to the Premiership is that great."

Image source, Rex Features

Wayne Rooney says he is grateful for the reception he got on his return to former club Derby County.

The Plymouth Argyle head coach led his side to a 1-1 draw at Pride Park as he came back to the club that gave him his first job as a manager for the first time since leaving more than two years ago.

Rooney was in charge as the Rams coped with financial problems that led to administration and a total of 21 points being deducted in the 2021-22 season as club were relegated to League One.

"It was strange going into the away dugout," he told BBC Radio Devon after the game.

"I'm very thankful to the fans for giving me a good reception getting off the bus and at the end of the game.

"I've had some great memories here at the football club during a very difficult period in the club's history.

"I'm sure the fans knew that in the time I was here as manager I did everything I could to try and keep the club sustained.

"I know there's a mutual respect between myself and the fans and I wish the club all the best moving forward."

Derby's Championship encounter with Plymouth Argyle on Saturday ended in a 1-1 draw, despite the Rams having four times the number of shots as their visitors.

On the Rams Daily podcast, Derby defender Nat Phillips spoke about how luck played its role in a game where he felt they should have seen the spoils of victory.

"We gave it our best - felt like we dominated, plenty of opportunities, kept knocking throughout the game but unfortunately, couldn't get that second goal," Phillips said.

"I think it's simply football. It wasn't for lack of effort, we know that. It felt like we were in their final third for a lot of the second half but sometimes the ball just won't go in for you."

On the foul that led to Plymouth's goal from Adam Randell's free-kick, Phillips added: "I saw the referee pointing to his shoulder. He felt Nat [Mendez-Laing] was a bit too rough - not sure whether I agree with that but I'd have to watch it back first.

"It's part of football, sometimes that happens - you concede goals like that.

"There was probably a little moment before the free-kick where we got a bit complacent; a few loose passes, a few extra touches.

"We were in control of the game then maybe, not took liberties, but that kind of thing."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Former Derby County goalkeeper, Eric Steele believes the addition of Liam Thompson to the starting line-up was key to their 2-1 win at Coventry.

The victory was the Rams' first away win of the season in the Championship.

"I'm impressed from many points of view, mainly a massive performance was needed after Saturday and both staff and players have fulfilled their roles.

"They made five changes and in the end the shape worked really well," Steele told BBC Radio Derby's Rams Daily podcast

The victory over Coventry ends a four game run without a win for Paul Warne's side and was Thompson's first Championship start of the campaign.

"Liam Thompson did what we said, he gets around people, he retains the ball, he knows when to pass it and (Kenzo) Goudmijn and him had a really good 20 minutes.

"We controlled possession a lot better than we did against Stoke on Saturday and I'm really, really pleased for Thompson.

"It was a great team performance and it will do Derby the power of good with a home game coming up," added Steele

Image source, Rex Features

Derby County manager Paul Warne says he will not complain about injuries as he goes for a first away win of the season at Coventry on Wednesday.

The Rams have taken just two points from their seven away games so far this season and are still without Ryan Nambe and David Ozoh.

"I can't moan about injuries because I've got 25 players," Warne told BBC Radio Derby.

"There are always going to be injuries, suspensions, lack of form and you've just got to shuffle the pack and try to get your best players out there."

Derby have been without full-back Nambe and midfielder Ozoh in recent weeks and Warne admits that has made things difficult.

"Ryan being out means we don't have an out-and-out defensive right-back so that makes it a bit more awkward and David was playing really well so he's a big miss," he added.

"Both of them will be welcomed back but as I know, when you get those two back there'll be two other issues."

Coventry have won their past two Championship games, scoring six goals in the process and Warne is ready for a big challenge.

"They've got one of the most experienced managers outside the Premier League," said Warne.

"I've played under Mark Robins and with him, they are a proper team with a really good age."

Image source, BBC Sport

Coventry City won consecutive games for the first time this season with a 3-0 victory at Middlesbrough on Saturday and are unbeaten in three (W2 D1) following a run of just one win in nine before that.

Derby County have won just one of their last eight games (D3 L4) and are without a victory in four following a 2-1 defeat at Stoke last time out. The Rams have also failed to win away from home so far this season.

• Three of the last four league meetings between Coventry and Derby have ended as draws, with the Sky Blues winning the other 1-0.

• Derby County have lost nine of their last 13 away league meetings against Coventry (W2 D2).

• None of Coventry's last 14 home league games have ended in a draw (W6 L8), and they could win successive such games for the first time since December 2023.

• Each of Derby's last four midweek league matches have been away from home, with three of the four ending in a draw (L1).

• Derby's Jerry Yates has netted three goals in his last four league appearances against Coventry, though failed to score in his last away league game against the Sky Blues while at Swansea in December 2023.