Bennett and Nugent to start – Strongest 4-2-3-1 Derby County XI to face Notts County

Predicted 4-2-3-1 Derby County line to face Notts County

Derby County will kick-off their pre-season campaign with a friendly fixture against Notts County at the Meadow Lane on Saturday afternoon.  

The Rams, under the new management of Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, will be hoping to kickstart things with a victory over the League Two outfit as they set out to prepare for a long and arduous EFL Championship campaign that will take off from the first week of August.  

Ahead of the pre-season opener, Lampard confirmed that his side will be without the services of strikers Matej Vydra and Chris Martin, while Ikechi Anya has also been ruled out of the game. Full-back Marcus Olsson is a long-term absentee.

Here’s how the Rams could take the field at the Meadow Lane this weekend.

Probable Derby County XI

Manager: Frank Lampard 

Formation: 4-2-3-1 

Scott Carson (GK)

The 32-year old should start as the No.1 for the Rams, despite having been linked with a move away as recently as last week.  

Andre Wisdom (RB)

The 25-year-old former Liverpool defender should start at right-back against Notts County and look to make a strong impression ahead of the new season.  

Richard Keogh (CB)

The 31-year-old was an ever-present in the heart of the defence for Derby last season and should continue the same way this time out.  

Curtis Davies (CB)

The club captain is expected to continue to partner with Keogh in the heart of the backline against Notts County.  

Craig Forsyth (LB)

At left-back, 29-year-old Scottish international Craig Forsyth is expected to slot in, with Marcus Olsson being ruled out for the foreseeable future.  

Jamie Hanson (CM)

The 22-year-old academy graduate should get a chance to impress in the middle of the park in the pre-season opener on Saturday.  

Tom Huddlestone (CM)

Partnering the young Hanson should be former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tom Huddlestone to provide the solidity and experience in the middle.  

Luke Thomas (RW) 

The 19-year-old winger looks set for game time under the new manager, after having been a part of the pre-season tour to Tenerife. 

Mason Bennett (CAM) 

The 21-year-old forward, who spent the last season out on loan with Notts County, is likely to be given a chance to impress on his return to the Meadow Lane. 

Tom Lawrence (LW)

The former Manchester United and Leicester City starlet will be the man tasked with providing the creative spark in the attacking third for the Rams.

David Nugent (ST)

With both Vydra and Martin sidelined, veteran striker David Nugent should get the nod as the lone striker on Saturday.