As the Rams head to Morecambe tonight for their third pre-season clash very little is happening on the news front. RamBites takes the crumbs of what is around and delivers them to you for your snacking pleasure.
Leacock To Forest or Pompey
Rumours are rife that Dean Leacock will be heading out the doors of Pride Park to either Forest or Pompey with both clubs supposedly interested in the defenders services.
After some of his performances in which he seemed close to being disinterested last season perhaps similar performances for the trees would be more entertaining for us.
It seems Nigel Clough does not feel any different than I after not allocating Deano with a squad number for 2010/11.
As one of the longest serving Rams in the current squad, it seems it is only a matter of time before he too is a past player.
Riggott Gets a Start
Chris Riggott’s attempts to regain fitness and earn a contract at the Rams takes its biggest step to date tonight with Nigel Clough confirming the defender is likely to start the match.
It seems Clough has decided to throw him straight in the deep end and see if he can swim as the clubs defensive stocks at this stage are quite low.
It seems for Riggott and Derby the timing of his return could not be better and Nigel Clough has high hopes:
'If everything goes well he is down to start and maybe play 45 minutes, which would be a great boost. Chris trained Wednesday and if he comes through Friday morning's session and feels happy, we will get him out there for some part of the game against Morecambe. If he is going to play some part, he might as well start the game and see how he feels towards half-time.'
Good luck Chris, every Rams fan is behind you!
Barker Setback
Shaun Barker had been hoping to be back in action as close to the start of the new season as possible but it now seems unlikely he will take the field until at least September.
After an off-season operation all is still well with his recovery but it is just taking a little longer than the Rams new Captain would like:
"You never know but realistically the first month is doubtful. I am not trying to put a timescale on things at the moment. It could be a big plus and we could find out it is going a lot quicker than expected."
Quick Bites:
Only a few years after the rule was changed, the Football League clubs recently voted for the number of substitutes named on a team sheet to be reduced from 7 to 5. Clubs are still able to name 7 subs in Carling Cup and FA Cup matches.
Craig Bryson’s hip injury is close to healing and he is hoping to return for the Rams upcoming pre-season game against Crewe.
Jason Shackell is also confident of returning soon and hopeful to feature in the pre-season. Without any further issues he is confident of being ready to go for the opening day clash against Birmingham.
That’s all we have bitten off today – good luck to the team at Morecombe as they push closer to the 11/12 season.