Grecians v Rams – Preview

Grecians v Rams – Preview

The Rams finish there South West Coast pre-season tour on Saturday, when they take on League One side Exeter City at St James` Park (3pm)

Rams boss Nigel Clough is hoping Paul Green and Chris Porter will be fit to face the Grecians; both players missed the Rams’ friendly against Yeovil Town and Torquay earlier this week.

But Clough is hoping midfielder Green and striker Porter will both have recovered in time to face the Grecians, but he will not take any risks on the pair with the season so close. The Rams are anticipating a tough match against Paul Tisdale’s men.

‘We didn`t risk them (against Torquay), having not done so in the Yeovil game.

‘We`ve given them that extra couple of days to be fit to face Exeter City. We expect it to be a good game. Exeter is only one division below us,’ said Clough.

One player who should make an appearance at St James’s Park tomorrow is midfielder Dean Moxey. He left the Grecians for the Rams in a £350,000 deal earlier this summer and played half an hour of Derby’s 2-0 win over Yeovil on Tuesday night, and tomorrow’s game will give the Exeter-born player a chance to say goodbye to the City fans.

Moxey admitted he hoped his old club would continue to flourish in his absence.

‘I was at Exeter since I was 11 and the club went through a lot while I was there. I hope they are going to have a good season again this year, because I am a local lad and still an Exeter fan.

‘All my friends and family are down there, so it was a hard decision to leave. I said I would only leave to join a decent club that could further my career.

‘Derby is a massive club and I’m glad to be here. I want to thank Nigel Clough for giving me the opportunity and I’m ready to take my chance,’ said Moxey.

Nigel Clough is pleased with the way centre-half Jake Buxton is settling in at Derby County following his move from Burton Albion. Buxton partnered Academy product Arnaud Mendy at centre-back against Torquay, with Jason Beardsley at right-back and Jay McEveley left-back.

Clough said: ‘Arnaud is more a midfield player. He has played a couple of times at centre half but not too much.

“He needed looking after, as did Jason Beardsley on the other side, and it was down to Jake and Jay to look after them, which they did,” added Clough.

The last time the Rams visited St James` Park was in September 22nd 1993, when the Rams run out 3-1 winners.