Same again for Rams?

12 February 2010 09:18
Manager Nigel Clough has dropped a strong hint that he could name an unchanged starting line-up for the FA Cup fifth-round visit of Birmingham. Clough was able to name an unchanged side for the first time this season against Newcastle in midweek and he has no thoughts of giving any of his players a breather, despite some crucial Championship games on the horizon. "We've not even got one eye on Preston next week. We know that they're more important games, Preston (on Tuesday night) and Swansea next weekend, but if the team is fit on Saturday it may well be unchanged. I've no thoughts of giving anybody a rest," said Clough, whose side has won four and drawn two of their last seven matches in all competitions. "If you're winning games - or certainly not losing them - you want to try to keep it together." There will be a change to the squad, however, as new signing David Martin is ineligible having played against Derby for Millwall in the third round of the competition. Lee Croft could replace him on the bench after recovering from a hamstring injury. The Rams are in the fifth round for only the third time in 10 years and are looking to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1999.

Source: PA