John Eustace Makes Derby County Change As He Names Team For Crunch Portsmouth Clash

Derby County head coach John Eustace made just the one change as he named his team to face Portsmouth in a crunch Championship clash this afternoon.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing made his return to the team in place of Liam Thompson who dropped to the bench in what was the only alteration from Tuesday night’s draw with promotion-chasing Burnley.

There is no place in the squad for the injured Callum Elder, but Sondre Langas is fit enough to start the game having been forced off against the Clarets in midweek.

In what is a 3-5-2 system, Jacon Widell Zetterstrom is in goal behind the back three of Nat Phillips, Matt Clarke and Langas. Kane Wilson will be handed wing-back responsibilities while Craig Forsyth will assume the same role on the opposite flank.

In midfield will be Rams captain Ebou Adams, Harrison Armstrong and Marcus Harness. Mendez-Laing is expected to play just off Jerry Yates in attack.

On the subs bench are Tom Barkhuizen, Liam Thompson, Kenzo Goudmijn, Kayden Jackson, Jake Rooney, Jeff Hendrick, Josh Vickers, Erik Pieters and Lennon Wheeldon

Derby: Zetterstrom, Langas, Phillips, Clarke; Wilson, Adams, Armstrong, Harness, Forsyth; Mendez-Laing, Yates