Bottom-of-the-table Derby County welcome Coventry City to Pride Park on Tuesday evening sitting six points adrift of their opponents in the Championship standings.
The Sky Blues make the short trip to the East Midlands having put together a three-match unbeaten streak, their latest point being claimed at leaders Norwich City.
Match preview
© Reuters
When Derby County held a 1-0 advantage over Wycombe Wanderers heading into the closing stages, Wayne Rooney would have been encouraged by his start to life as sole interim boss.
However, a late equaliser has left the East Midlands in last place, three points adrift of their most recent opponents and five away from safety.
Still less than a third of the way through the campaign, there is little reason for Derby to panic just yet, but Rooney needs to get three points on the board as soon as possible if he is going to be handed the managerial reins on a full-time basis.
Focus will inevitably be placed on improving a record of six goals from 14 matches, although cutting out individual mistakes in defence would also go a long way to getting the Rams up the table.
Rooney has hinted that he will remain in the dugout for the time being, but the England legend will be tempted to name himself among the substitutes if Derby cannot solve their problems in the final third.
As far as Coventry are concerned, Mark Robins will be relieved that his Coventry side are starting to turn performances into results.
The Sky Blues have not always got just reward for their displays since promotion from League One, but their recent five-point haul has given them something to work with over the coming weeks.
While many would have tipped Coventry to return home empty-handed from their trip to Norwich, Maxime Biamou came off the substitutes' bench to net his first Championship goal of the campaign.
That effort has kept things ticking over for Robins's side, and this group of players will be confident of inflicting more misery on their opponents in what is a crucial game at the lower end of the table.
Derby County Championship form: WLLDWD
Coventry City Championship form: DLLLLD
Team News
© Reuters
Robins must decide whether to hand a recall to Biamou after the Frenchman's leveller at Carrow Road.
Tyler Walker could return on one of the flanks, while Jordan Shipley is an alternative to Ben Sheaf or Liam Kelly.
Rooney will almost certainly make a number of changes to his Derby XI in a bid to freshen up his attack.
Jason Knight, Kamil Jozwiak and Martyn Waghorn are all in contention to feature in the final third.
Derby County possible starting lineup:
Marshall; Wisdom, Davies, Clarke, Forsyth; Evans, Shinnie; Holmes, Lawrence, Jozwiak; Kazim-Richards
Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Wilson; Dabo, Ostigard, McFadzean, Hyam, Giles; O'Hare, Kelly, Sheaf, Walker; Biamou
We say: Derby County 1-1 Coventry City
While Derby can ill-afford many more matches without success, Rooney and co will also recognise that defeat to the Sky Blues would leave them further off the pace. Taking everything into consideration, do not be surprised to see a tentative contest played out, one which could end in a low-scoring draw.
