"We have to be ready for it": Paul Warne issues warning ahead of Blackpool challenge

Derby County are looking to bounce back this Easter weekend as they face a difficult home match against Blackpool.

The Rams lost 1-0 to Northampton last time out in what was a pretty dismal display for a team in second place.

They remain four points ahead of Bolton who have a game in hand.

Blackpool will make the trip to Pride Park in good spirits as they have recently picked up wins against the likes of Bolton and Peterborough and managed to hold league leaders Portsmouth to a draw.

They will provide Derby with a challenge for sure. Derby boss Paul Warne knows how tricky it could prove to be tomorrow and emphasised that his team need to play better than they did last weekend.

Speaking to Rams TV, Warne said: "In recent weeks they have beaten Bolton Wanderers, Peterborough United and drew with Portsmouth, so they are a side that seem to do very well against the better teams.

"This is as tough as the Bolton home game looked the other week and we have to be ready for it.

"It's disappointing that we didn't take anything from last weekend but, honestly, it doesn't surprise me. Football has a nice way of giving you a good crack. We created enough chances to win and we didn't take them.

"We have to put a performance on in the next two games to stay in the hunt."

Recently, Paul Warne has had a number of injury issues to deal with as the likes of James Collins, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Dwight Gayle all recovering from issues.

Warne said that despite this, there seems to be some good news: "I've even got a starting eleven of injured players at the moment, so that's disappointing. As I always say though, it's next man up and we've just got to do what we can.

"The good news is, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has a really good chance of featuring; we're hopeful he will be on the grass today and he will be available for selection.

"Last Saturday's game was a bit too soon for Collo (James Collins), although he is still way ahead of schedule.

"However, if he's the best one out of the strikers in the next two days of training he can have the jersey, it's as simple as that. As long as he doesn't have some sort of set-back, he will definitely be in the squad for Friday's game."

With star players on a possible return and a chance to bounce back, it could be a get-right game for the Rams.

If they do fail to pick up valuable points, the promotion race will get that bit more stressful going into the big top of the table clash against Portsmouth on Tuesday.