In their first Championship clash following an indifferent international period for the England team, Leeds United pay a visit to Derby County, who have incidentally reappointed a former Three Lions boss in the form of Steve McClaren...

McClaren's return has been one of the major talking points this week aside from England's drab draw away to Slovenia, with many taking into account the wholly unceremonious manner in which he departed the Rams just over a year ago. Indeed, in unsurprising fashion, his reappointment has divided opinion between Rams fans, with some enthusiastically lending their support to him once more, taking into account the skilled, sublime way in which Derby contested matches under his premiership. Others have been scathing however, vocally voicing their discontent at the news, making reference to the way in which, they perceive, he betrayed them when he jumped ship for Newcastle in 2015.

First impressions are of crucial importance for any manager. When McClaren first took hold of the reigns of the Rams back in 2013, his debut was an absolute success; a comprehensive 3-1 victory over ourselves, then managed by the humble Brian McDermott. That victory was Derby's 10th successive one over the Whites, but the landscape of battle has since been drastically altered. It is now Leeds who carry with them the greater share of momentum; five wins in our last six matches in all competitions could rightfully be defined as red-hot form. So then, quite whether McClaren will enjoy such success this time around is certainly up for heated discussion.

Will he be able to win the fans over once more with a dazzling debut? Or will Garry Monk's in-form Whites begin a period of Derby discontent with a comfortable defeat of the Rams tomorrow?

Team News

Derby County

It is most probable that defender Jason Shackell's calf injury will keep him out, while striker Mason Bennett is also a doubt; he is recovering from groin surgery.

Craig Forsyth and George Thorne both remain long-term absentees. Scottish midfielder Craig Bryson though, is in contention after recovering from injury.

Leeds United

Winger Stuart Dallas is a doubt after suffering a calf strain whilst on international duty with Northern Ireland. Former Oxford talisman Kemar Roofe could therefore start on the left.

Striker Chris Wood will also be thoroughly examined after he captained New Zealand against Mexico and the United States while also seeing to international duties., but he is expected to be match-fit.

Finally, the Whites will of course once again be without captain Liam Bridcutt, the Scotland international currently sidelined with a fractured foot. There is some positive news for Garry Monk's side though, with fan favourite and full-back Gaetano Berardi having recovered from a hamstring problem sustained in the opening game of the season.

The Swiss defender will not play a part tomorrow due to his involvement in an under-23's fixture against Hull City tonight, but he could feature against Wigan at Elland Road on Tuesday.

Probable Lineups

Derby (4-3-3) - Carson; Christie, Pearce, Keogh, Olsson; Johnson, Hughes, Butterfield; Anya, Vydra, Ince.

Leeds (4-2-3-1) - Green; Ayling, Bartley, Jansson, Taylor; O'Kane, Phillips; Sacko, Hernandez, Roofe; Wood.

Garry Monk: Let's continue from where we left off

In spite of his touchline ban that will see him observe from the stands tomorrow, Whites head coach Garry Monk has challenged his players to continue their rich vein of form.

Leeds head into tomorrow's game placed a respectable 11th in the table, sitting just four points off the top six after winning five of their last six games in all competitions.

The United boss remarked: “We’ve had a good weeks training, we’re looking forward to the game at the weekend. We need to try and pick up where we left off before the break and get another run going.

“We’ve given ourselves a platform to understand that we can do well and be competitive. That was my first port of call when I came here, to make us competitive. We’re in a good place, the environment is good and we’re looking forward to getting back into the games.

“We know we have to be ready, try and show more of improvements and making steps in the right direction, that’s our focus."

Leeds will be vociferously backed by 3,000 typically vehement travelling supporters having sold out their ticket allocation for the match.

When asked about what he made of United's fiercely loyal support, Monk said: “We’ve done very well at Elland Road, the fans are looking forward to coming to the games. We’re playing good football, we’ve been competitive in everyone of the last 7 games.

“Our fans have been tremendous on the road, the break's over and they need to get back on it with us and make sure we all go together, strong, vocal and stick together through the good and bad times.”

Match Facts

Derby have won six of their last seven home league encounters with Leeds, although they did lose last time out in August 2015; a late, long-range drive from Chris Wood ending a barren run in Derby for the Whites.

Leeds have failed to win an away league game in the month of October since the 2011-12 season, when they were victorious over Peterborough (3-2) at London Road thanks to goals from Andy Keogh, Ross McCormack, and Darren O'Dea.

Leeds have won 12 points from the last 15 available; only Brighton and Hove Albion (13) have won more from their last five league matches.

Key Players

Derby County - Cyrus Christie, Defender - (7.2 WhoScored rating)

Right-back Christie, formerly of Coventry City, has arguably been one of Derby's better performers thus far this campaign. Despite his side's dreadful start to the season, he has maintained a respectable level of form, putting in typically steady and committed performances. It is therefore imperative that he keeps striving for consistency, as he will look to negate the threat posed on the Leeds left by either Stuart Dallas or Kemar Roofe.

Leeds United - Pontus Jansson, Defender - (7.77 WhoScored rating)

Since coming into the heart of the Leeds United defence, Jansson has already, in a short space of time, begun to make himself something of a cult hero among the fans at Elland Road. The on-loan Swede's combative, committed style has quite rightly won him a multitude of plaudits and he has formed a solid central defensive partnership with Kyle Bartley; a towering efficient wall that has stood strong in the face of real attacking pressure in recent weeks. Jansson's consistency is crucially important to United's chances of victory because when he plays well, Leeds play well.

Writer's View

After a rather stale international break that yielded two 90 minute-long snore-fests, I cannot express enough my sheer delight at the return of league football. Although the IPro as it is now known has historically not been the happiest of hunting grounds for us in recent years, I feel somewhat surprisingly confident of a win. Although I think that McClaren's return will bear fruit for Derby County given time, it is us who possess the greater momentum at present and I think that will be what sees us through.

I do hope that Stuart Dallas is fit but I have faith in Kemar Roofe to perform well should he have to come in. I think that now he's had a few months at Championship level we will soon start to see the best from him. I'd also be more than happy to see us stick with the 4-2-3-1 as it has proven to be a solid option for the personnel available to us. We seem to have found a tad of consistency in recent weeks and continuity is important if we are to maintain a good level of performance.

Derby, despite their poor start, do have some proven quality within their ranks. Matej Vydra is a name that springs to mind as I remember him being extremely proficient in attack for Watford a few seasons ago. It will be by no means an easy game, but I think that so long as we retain our defensive solidity whilst posing a threat on the counter, we will come away with the full share of the points on offer.

Prediction: Derby County 1-2 Leeds United

Photo: Action Images

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