U21s Preview: Middlesbrough (H)

Derby County’s Under-21s will face Middlesbrough in their latest Premier League 2 - Division 2 fixture on Friday afternoon.

The Under-21s will host Boro at Moor Farm Training Ground (2pm kick-off) and dcfc.co.uk has brought together all the key information you will need to know ahead of the game.

Team News...

First-team defender James Chester, who returned to full training last month after picking up a calf injury in January, could feature to get some match minutes under his belt after playing for 45 minutes in the Under-21s 6-1 home defeat to Stoke City on Monday.

Under-21s boss Pat Lyons is expected to have a similar squad to call upon following the heavy defeat to Stoke earlier in the week although midfielder Darren Robinson is not available as he is away on international duty with Northern Ireland's Under-19s.

Midfielder Osazee Aghatise must serve the second game of his suspension following his sending off in the Derbyshire Senior Cup Semi-Final against Belper Town for violent conduct.

Bartosz Cybulksi (AFC Fylde), George Nunn (Cheshunt), Demico Burton (Stourbridge), Harrison Foulkes (Ilkeston Town), Connor Dixon (Farsley Celtic) and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (Wealdstone) are all out on loan and won't be involved ahead of matches this weekend for their temporary clubs.

The Season So Far...

The Under-21s ended their long wait for their first point of the season in Premier League 2 - Division 2 with a 1-1 draw at Sunderland last month, with winger Sonny Blu Lo-Everton scoring a dramatic late equaliser in the North East.

The draw ended the Under-21s' run of 12 straight losses in the league this term, with Pat Lyons having a young and inexperienced squad to select from, although they have since tasted back-to-back losses against Leeds United (3-0) and Stoke City (6-1).

Outside of the league, the Under-21s have enjoyed success in cup competitions this term and reached the last 16 of the Premier League Cup before tasting defeat to local rivals Nottingham Forest in February, while they will host National League - North side Buxton FC at Pride Park Stadium in the Final of the Derbyshire Senior Cup in April.

To view the Under-21s' full 2022/23 fixture list, please click here.

Ticket Information...

This Premier League 2 - Division 2 game is being played behind-closed-doors at Moor Farm Training Ground and as such supporters are not able to attend.

Live Stream...

RamsTV is not streaming the game live on Friday afternoon.

Full match highlights from the Premier League 2 - Division 2 clash will appear online on dcfc.co.uk following the match.