Former England international backs Paul Warne to earn Derby County promotion

Paul Warne has put Derby County into a fantastic position heading into the last seven games of the season.

After a huge 1-0 win over promotion rivals Bolton Wanderers, the Rams are in second place and four points ahead of third place.

The Rams now have four wins in a row and are hitting their top form at the perfect time. With the likes of Portsmouth and Blackpool still to play however, it won't be an easy run-in for Paul Warne's side.

Former England international Carlton Palmer praised Warne and the job he's managed to do at Derby.

Speaking to Football League World, he said: "Paul Warne has been there, seen it, he's done it all before. So Derby find themselves in a fantastic position. I'd be very very very surprised if Derby allowed that to slip.

"But I can't see Paul Warne letting this slide now. As I predicted at the start of the season, Derby would get automatic promotion under Paul Warne.

"So be careful what you wish for. Supporters were, you know, crying out, midway through the season for Paul Warne to be removed from the helm."

Paul Warne had been promoted from League One three times with Rotherham United before he came to Derby. However the situation at Pride Park was even more of a task due to the inability to sign a lot of new players due to the EFL watching Derby's financial moves.

Palmer said that it emphasises how much of a good job that Warne has done: "You've got to be patient, you've got to look at the job he's done, the players he's brought in, he's not spent an awful lot of money. He's brought these players in on free transfers.

"It's a hell of a job that Paul Warne's done again at another football club, a fantastic job and I think he'll see it through and get Derby County promoted."

Carlton Palmer earnt 18 caps in his career, he also played for Sheffield Wednesday, Leeds United, Southampton and Nottingham Forest.