With Clough already critical of on-loan keeper Brad Jones following his blunders during last Saturdays defeat by Bristol City, it is felt that he will start the game with the 21 year-old. If Atkins starts, or indeed gets a game it will be Derby County’s fifth goalkeeper this season and it is felt he could make a claim to be the Rams reserve keeper for next season. Clough also wants to rule the rule over several other younger players in the squad and could hand games to Callam Ball, Conor Doyle and Jeff Hendrick in this seasons finale. The Rams can’t climb higher than 19th in the league even with a win at the weekend but could slip down as low as 21st. No matter what happens against Reading, who also may rest first team players for their Play-off games, this will be Derby County’s lowest league finishing position since crashing out of the Premiership at the end of the 2007-08 season. Clough may very well need his youngsters if the club is to finish in the top six of the Championship next season, something that CEO Tom Glick and all Rams fans hope will become reality...
Nigel Clough hopes to take a look at several of the up and coming youngsters in Saturday’s game against Reading at the Madejski Stadium.