Derby County

Image source, Getty Images

Derby County boss Paul Warne expects to have Ryan Nyambe, David Ozoh and Eiran Cashin back on the training pitch by the middle of the January.

Namibia international Nyambe was expected to be out for up to six months after he suffered a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury in October, while on-loan Crystal Palace midfielder Ozoh has not been seen since September after first being sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Defender Cashin has been out with a hamstring problem of his own since mid-December.

Speaking ahead of Derby's Championship game at Bristol City, Warne says the trio are now due to rejoin team-mates "on the grass" following their FA Cup third-round tie against Leyton Orient on 11 January.

"They are three very good players for us and think they make us stronger," Warne continued. "The transfer window has come at a good time for us because it does enable us to freshen the squad up. And it's coincided with players coming back."

Warne also said his "phone is hot with loads of things going on" in the early days of the transfer window.

You can hear more from the Rams boss on the latest edition of the Rams Daily podcast.

Image source, Getty Images

Derby County must act during the winter transfer window to add greater depth of quality to their Championship side, says former Rams goalkeeper and coach Eric Steele.

With striker Josh Windass coming off the bench to score an incredible goal for Sheffield Wednesday from his own half and Anthony Musaba also coming on as a substitute to score in the New Year's Day 4-2 win over Derby, Steele said the result was the latest to expose the gulf that exists between the Rams' squad and others in the division.

"It shows the level and the budget really comes into play," he told BBC Radio Derby. "It says we are not competing on an even playing field when you see they [Sheffield Wednesday] had four strikers, they brought two on and they both scored.

"We really have suffered. We can put out a best XI that can compete, but at the moment we can't compete with some of the substitute benches we have got opposite.

"That really came to be our downfall the other night. Two subs come on, one scores an absolute worldie and Musaba gets the fourth goal and that is the end of the game for Derby.

"It's a worry for Paul Warne with a window starting now, he has got to get more quality."

You can listen to more analysis from Steele on the latest edition of the Rams Daily podcast on BBC Sounds.

Bristol City were moments away from going ninth, within three points of the play-off places, before being denied victory by Plymouth's last-gasp equaliser on Wednesday.

On Saturday (15:00 GMT) they host Derby, who slipped within five points of the relegation zone courtesy of a 4-2 thumping at Sheffield Wednesday, also on New Year's Day.

• Bristol City have won five of their past seven league meetings with Derby County (L2), though did lose the reverse fixture 3-0 back in August.

• After that 3-0 win at Pride Park, Derby County will be aiming to record a league double over Bristol City for the first time since 2015-16.

• Only Leeds United (14) and West Brom (13) kept more clean sheets at home in the Championship in 2024 than Bristol City (nine), who have won three of their past four league games at Ashton Gate without conceding.

• This is the first time both of Derby County's first two league games of a calendar year have come away from home since 2017, when they lost to both Norwich (0-3) and Leeds United (0-1).

• Derby County manager Paul Warne is unbeaten in his past eight league games managing against Bristol opposition (W7 D1).

Image source, Rex Features

Derby County boss Paul Warne says his side did not deserve to start 2025 with a 4-2 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday - which included conceding a goal from their own half.

The incredible strike from Josh Windass put the Owls 2-0 up just after the hour mark.

"That goes down as one of the most horrific times of being a football manager, when he hits it and you think 'oh my, that has a right chance'. And it was an unbelievable bit of skill - I don't want to congratulate the opponents, but it was," Warne told BBC Radio Derby.

"But I still don't think that took the game away from us.

"I'm frustrated with the scoreline and I'm disappointed with the third goal especially, because that's when the game goes away from you a bit.

"I don't regret anything we did tactically, I do regret how we started the game. And after the first 10 or 15 minutes I thought we grew into the game really well and on the chances we created, we score two goals away from home again but came away with nothing. But still I think we should have had four or five - that's my honest truth.

"I'm not so disappointed, I just don't think we deserved a defeat today."

You can listen to more from Warne, as well as post-match analysis from BBC Radio Derby's Rams Daily podcast on BBC Sounds.

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby commentator

Image source, Rex Features

2024 will go down as one of the best in Derby County's history.

40 years since they were last a third-tier side after a some turbulent financial times, the Rams raised their heads from obscurity and stepped back in the Championship.

Having won all their Christmas matches they started 2024 with a late defeat by Peterborough at Pride Park.

That signalled the end of a run that saw them win eight out of nine games. It was a run that propelled them into the top four.

Overall then won 14 of 19 games and by mid-February they were second behind season long leaders Portsmouth.

Ebou Adams' arrival in the January transfer window was an epic signing for Derby.

He is now up their with Leon Osman's loan spell in January 2004 which inspired George Burley's Rams to Championship survival.

Midfielder Adams was the missing piece of a team that was desperate to achieve promotion after disappointment the previous campaign.

Two defeats in late February sparked nervousness amongst the fan base at Barnsley and at home to Charlton.

The character from Paul Warne's side was evident, after every setback there would be a reaction.

Experienced free agent Dwight Gayle joined on loan for the rest of the campaign and scored three goals in three wins, he had the sharpness a successful Premier League striker has but his body let him down and he missed a number of games through injury.

The run-in saw eight wins from 12 with a defeat by Northampton and the battle of the top two ended 2-2 at Portsmouth.

The Rams sealed promotion back to the Championship with a 2-0 win over Carlisle at Pride Park on a glorious day in April.

Derby have grown into this Championship season slowly. They've been competitive in all of their matches and at the turn of this year have shown a step up in ability and understanding.

Warne has stuck to his principals and is always first to admit his mistakes.

Owner David Clowes had stated there is backing for his January transfer window activity, which makes an exciting second half to the campaign and perhaps some investment come the summer.

Dominic Dietrich
Senior Sports Journalist, BBC Radio Derby

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

'Tis the season for transfer speculation.

As soon as the window opens on 1 January, you can be assured the month will be dominated by rumour, busy agents and hopefully some actual business being done.

Derby County head coach Paul Warne said this window is the one most teams look to address their mistakes in the summer but we also know that players will likely leave Pride Park in order for new additions to come through the door.

We'll start with what Derby need and it's been the same issue since Warne arrived back in 2022 - a target man.

They have Jerry Yates, who has been a great signing on loan in the summer, but the question is over a plan B in a worst case scenario.

If an injury happens, you're turning to Dajaune Brown with just one professional goal to his name or James Collins who is at the latter stage of his career despite his proven track record of goalscoring.

Whilst straight batting an answer on transfers post-Leeds United, Warne did suggest at the very end "a 10, 7, 11, or a 9" could be on his shopping list which traditionally have been known as a creative midfielder, wide players or a striker.

Outgoings could be just as interesting as the incomings at Derby with a few names potentially looking for more first-team football.

After contributing to Derby's promotion last season, Tom Barkhuizen, Sonny Bradley and Joe Ward have a combined 19 appearances in the Championship with five starts between them, so could they be knocking on the door looking for another option?

Conor Washington is yet to feature for a single minute in the first team after a number of injury battles so he will be another one that could see his future elsewhere.

There will be decisions around the loan players in the building - Tawanda Chirewa, from Wolves, has played the last two matches, in what were his third and fourth appearances, after an injury ruled him out for a chunk of his time at the club so far.

Plenty of ifs, buts and maybes going into this period but one thing's for sure, we will be talking about it far too much!

Keep up to date with the latest from Derby County by listening to BBC Radio Derby's Rams Daily podcast.

Image source, Getty Images

Head coach Paul Warne says Derby County's attack will be the focus of their winter transfer business when the window opens in January.

Rams owner David Clowes put out an end-of-year message during the rush of festive fixtures and said there would be "funds available" to bolster the squad, having "agreed with the strategy" outlined by Warne.

"There will be no panic, no mad splurges that go against our plans, we will operate in a way that maintains our stability while adding quality to an already talented squad," Clowes wrote., external

Warne echoed that message, saying signings should not be expected "when the clock turns to 12" on New Year's Eve.

"We have highlighted the ones we want and we are reactive to certain things as well.

"We are aware of the fact that there might be people coming for our players, so at the moment we are in a good place that we know what we want to do," Warne told BBC Radio Derby after Sunday's defeat by Championship leaders Leeds.

Derby are in their first season back in the Championship after two years in League One and are 16th in the table with seven wins from 24 games.

Warne says adding greater attacking options to his side - be it on the wings, up front or creatively in the middle - is what he most wants.

"Hopefully we can just enhance the squad in a couple of little areas," he said.

"From an attacking phase, I just think we possibly need a little bit more and that could come in a 10, 7, 11 or 9 - in any one of those sort of roles really."

You can listen to more from Warne and additional reaction and analysis by listening to BBC Radio Derby's Rams Daily podcast on BBC Sounds.

Boss Paul Warne spoke to BBC Radio Derby after his Derby County side were narrowly beaten by Championship leaders Leeds United at Pride Park.

"In the first 10 minutes we showed them too much respect, really - even with throw-ins we weren't getting tight enough," said Warne.

"But after that I thought we were really good – as good as we can be in the nicest possible sense.

"The lads gave everything they could. We made changes second half because you could see some fatigue because that is two massive efforts, with two big home games [against West Brom and Leeds] and I can't criticise the lads' efforts.

"I thought second half we were quite good, it felt like we were the team that might get a goal on a breakaway or a set-piece.

"They then obviously made changes and I hate to admit it, but their goal was a very well-worked goal. It probably took something magical to win this game, and unfortunately it wasn't our players that did that."

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby commentator

Image source, Rex Features

What do Derby need?

The Rams have the makings of a decent Championship side. A midfield controller with experience and another number nine should be high on the shopping list. But that has been the same for years.

Are they likely to do any business?

It is unlikely Derby will be splashing cash in January. Prices are inflated and the Rams will need to sell or offload before recruiting. I expect a couple of Premier League loans late in the month, which is par for the course for the mid-season window.

How successful have they been in recent January windows?

Last season, in the hunt for League One promotion, the Rams signed Ebou Adams on loan from Cardiff City. I really think without him they wouldn't have achieved automatic promotion. His impact was rewarded with a permanent signing this summer.

Are there likely to be any notable departures?

The Rams have a number of players who are not getting game time. James Collins, Corey Blackett-Taylor and Sonny Bradley all have preferred bodies in front of them and at their ages won't want to be sitting and watching for the rest of the campaign with a minute here and there.

How key is the window?

I don't think it will be. Derby's aim is to survive in the Championship and barring a total failure they will do that. They have to tools to compete and perhaps surprise a few. But the majority of the fanbase know the goal and will be happy to complete it.

League leaders Leeds United travel to mid-table Derby County on Sunday evening with both sides looking to continue their winning ways to end the year.

Victory over the Rams took Leeds top of the Championship table three weeks ago, and a repeat of that performance this weekend will see them retain top spot.

Both teams come into this encounter following Boxing Day victories, Derby County having held off promotion-chasing West Brom as Leeds moved back into pole position in the title race with a comfortable away win at struggling Stoke.

• Derby County are winless in their last six league games against Leeds United (D2 L4) since a 2-1 win in October 2017 under Gary Rowett.

• Leeds United are looking to win three away league games in a row against Derby County for the first time since between 1954 and 1960.

• Derby County have won their final league match of the year in each of the past seven years and are unbeaten in 13 such matches (W10 D3) since a 5-2 defeat by Nottingham Forest in 2010.

• Leeds have won their final league match of the year in just two of the past 14 years (D4 L8), but they did score five goals in both victories – 5-4 vs. Birmingham in 2019 and 5-0 vs. West Brom in 2020.

• Leeds manager Daniel Farke was winless in his first five Championship games against Derby County (D2 L3) but he has since won each of his last two against the Rams.

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby commentator

Image source, Getty Images

The fog, the fans and the football. A battling performance from Paul Warne's Derby County against a West Brom team expected to finish inside the top six of the Championship once again showed what a good two weeks they have had.

A point at Burnley was followed by a convincing win over Portsmouth three days later.

Then the Rams produced a solid 90 minutes against Luton before two bizarre goals took the points elsewhere.

It was all rounded off at Pride Park on Boxing Day under atmospheric conditions and 31,000 people in good cheer.

Derby's ability to go at a talented West Brom toe-to-toe will add great confidence to the ranks.

Jerry Yates' fifth goal of the season was rounded off by Kayden Jackson's deflected strike off a West Brom defender.

The Rams were at it and they exploited West Brom's frustration as the game went on.

Again, they were thwarted by the quality of impact substitutions as Grady Diangana headed in from a cross from the right, but after an onslaught at the end and some clever game management, the Rams prevailed to beat only their second top-eight side of the season.

At the halfway stage, Warne will be pleased with the progress. Like all newly-promoted teams there are frailties but individuals seem to be adapting to the pace and physicality of the division.

The likes of Ebou Adams and Kenzo Goudmijn are starting to show what good deals they were, while Kane Wilson's energy has all the mechanics of a spinning top: pull the string and watch him run.

Supporters will also be happy with their half-term report and with the January window around the corner, owner David Clowes has already pledged support for Warne's shopping list. So far, so good.

Listen to BBC Radio Derby's Rams Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Image source, PA Media

Derby hoss Paul Warne spoke to BBC Radio Derby following his side's 2-1 win over West Brom:

"I'm really pleased. We started really well but we didn't take one of our chances. But Jerry (Yates) scored a good goal and we had pretty good control.

"Apart from the two strikes that hit the post, they didn't really lay a glove on us.

"The second goal was a bit fortuitous but we put our bodies on the line and did enough to see out the game.

"We have always been really competitive in the Championship. Since the Leeds game we should have had 10 points from four games but we threw away points against Luton.

"Today we possibly had some luck that we haven't had before."

Derby County have so far performed the best out of last season's promoted sides from League One - the Rams sit 16th in the Championship.

West Brom travel to Pride Park looking to push on into the league's top six, currently sitting seventh, outside the play-offs only by virtue of goals scored.

Derby have just one win and three defeats in their last five games. They are level on points with Coventry City below them and one point behind Luton Town above.

• Derby County have lost one of their last six league games against West Bromwich Albion (W3 D2), a 2-0 away defeat in July 2020.

• West Brom have won one of their last 31 away league games against Derby, winning 1-0 in August 2003 under Gary Megson.

• Derby have never lost on Boxing Day against West Brom across three previous meetings (W1 D2), winning their only home game 1-0 in 1936 under George Jobey.

• West Bromwich Albion have won their last two Boxing Day matches, last winning four years in a row on December 26 between 1990 and 1994.

• Derby have won only five of their last 22 league games on Boxing Day (D7 L10), although they did win 1-0 against Wigan last year.

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby commentator

Image source, Rex Features

Derby County's defeat at Luton Town on Friday evening was cruel but that is the game.

I've seen the Rams do that to so many teams over the 40 years I have been watching them, and when it happens to you it is no less gutting as it always has been.

Derby's second-half performance at Kenilworth Road is what should take everyone's attention.

They controlled the game away from home, scored a brilliant goal, and defended to the 90th minute.

Not scoring that second has hurt them on several occasions this season, and the Hatters' two deflected strikes - on a goal that hadn't been busy all evening- stopped the Rams from registering their second away win.

I saw Paul Warne today at Moor Farm. He has a new branded bobble hat so was in fine form. He is a realist and will not sugar-coat his answers.

The conversation steered through reflections on Friday, before assessing the threats of West Bromwich Albion. I apologised for telling him that Derby have a good record at home to the Baggies and then we addressed his plans for Christmas Day.

He said everyone has to do a run, video it, and stick it in the group chat as proof. I really think he is just the personal trainer I need come 1 January.

The supporters' reaction to Friday's result has been fair. Clearly, they are all upset by the manner of the defeat, but the sensible fans will see the effort that was put in and the misfortune of the goals conceded.

As we approach the halfway point of the season the Rams are improving, but need to score a second goal and kill teams off with better game management. But there is still plenty to be positive about.

Derby County head coach Paul Warne has given his side Christmas Day off with the pretence they send him a video of themselves running before midday.

Ahead of the Rams' Boxing Day clash with West Bromwich Albion, Warne said he trusted his players would not lose their discipline following their last-gasp defeat by Luton Town on Friday night.

"They'll all have to do a run on Christmas Day," Warne told BBC Radio Derby.

"They'll all have to video themselves on one part of it wishing everyone else a Merry Christmas - so, there will be like 25 videos flying into the WhatsApp group before midday.

"That's the only thing I expect from them and then I expect them to enjoy their day with their families.

"I think everyone's got a little bit more energy because you don't always eat a sausage wrapped in bacon but on Christmas Day it is very hard to turn it down, so I'm expecting a very energetic performance from the team."

Warne also confirmed his squad picked up no new injuries during Friday's defeat at Kenilworth Road.

"Kenzo [Goudmijn] was fatiguing a little bit, I thought Jerry [Yates] and Kayden [Jackson] had gassed out but there's no fresh injuries from the other day."

Luton Town will look to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat at Blackburn when they welcome Derby County for an important clash in the bottom half of the Championship on Friday evening.

Rob Edwards' side, who are 19th, have one one of their past five games (D1 L3) but are unbeaten in five at Kenilworth Road.

The Rams are 14th and ended a six-game winless streak (D3 L3) with an impressive 4-0 victory over Portsmouth last week, but could go 10th with a win ahead of the rest of the weekend's action.

• Luton Town have lost just one of their past five league games against Derby County (W3 D1), winning this exact fixture 1-0 when it was last played in February 2022.

• Derby County have lost each of their past three away league games against Luton Town, with each of those defeats coming via a different scoreline (1-0, 2-1 and 3-2).

• Luton have lost just one of their past nine home league games (W5 D3), keeping three clean sheets during that time and conceding multiple goals in just two of those matches.

• Derby have won just one of their 11 away league games during the 2024-25 season (D4 L6), scoring more than one goal in just two of those matches.

• Derby have scored 13 goals from set pieces situations in the Championship so far this season – the most of any side in the competition, while both the Rams and Luton have netted eight goals from corners this campaign, the joint-most in the second tier.