Date: Sunday, 5 January; Venue: Pride Park Stadium, Derby; Kickoff: 14:15 GMT Derby County meet Chelsea in the FA Cup third round on Sunday searching for their first win over the Blues since 1999. Rory Delap, the long-throw specialist most famously remembered for his spell at Stoke, bagged a brace in October of that year in a 3-1 victory for the Rams. That is the only occasion in the last dozen encounters that Chelsea have lost. County have been rejuvenated by the appointment of Steve McClaren and his ability to attract quality players after years of mid-table mediocrity under predecessor Nigel Clough. Derby have signed Spurs winger Simon Dawkins on a permanent transfer this week and secured Chelsea youngster Patrick Bamford on loan. McClaren saw a sensational run of eight wins in nine games end on New Year's Day when Wigan Athletic snatched victory at Pride Park. The Rams have emerged as Championship promotion contenders and sit fourth three points off an automatic place in the table. Jose Mourinho's Blues meanwhile took ten Premier League points from a possible 12 over the festive period. They remain strong candidates in the title race hot on the heels of leaders Arsenal. Chelsea will not find this trip to East Midlands straightforward, however.
Team News
Derby box-to-box midfielder Craig Bryson is a doubt because of a knock picked upon Boxing Day. McClaren will assess his fitness, but has Jeff Hendrick ready to step in. Dawkins is available following his transfer from Tottenham. Rams captain Richard Keogh remains out with knee ligament damage. On-loan defender Andre Wisdom is eligible, but McClaren has a selection to make at centre back alongside Jake Buxton. Zak Whitbread is the most likely after extending his loan spell from Leicester. David Luiz returns from a ban for the Blues. Mourinho is without Marco van Ginkel and Branislav Ivanovic with knee injuries. Chelsea stalwart Frank Lampard also misses out with a muscle problem. Source: BBC
Likely Line-Ups
Derby: 1 Lee Grant, 33 Andre Wisdom, 25 Jake Buxton, 27 Zak Whitbread, 3 Craig Forsyth, 14 John Eustace, 10 Jamie Ward/32 Simon Dawkins, 4 Craig Bryson/8 Jeff Hendrick,19 Will Hughes, 11 Johnny Russell, 9 Chris Martin 4-1-4-1 Chelsea: 23 Mark Schwarzer, 28 Cesar Azpilicueta, 24 Gary Cahill/33 Tomas Kalas, 4 David Luiz, 3 Ashley Cole, 5 Michael Essien, 20 Josh McEachran, 7 Ramires, 15 Kevin De Bruyne, 10 Juan Mata, 19 Demba Ba 4-2-3-1
Jamie Clark is a qualified Web Journalist after undergoing professional training at the University of Sheffield. A prolific and accredited sports writer, he also enjoys classic comedy, historic fiction, 80s music and heritage.
