Rams will only have eyes on survival as race is nearing the end

DERBY County face their final assignment of the season this weekend as they look to avoid relegation from the Championship with a huge game at home to Stoke City.

- By LEIGH CURTIS

A win will guarantee the Rams will stay in the second tier, although should the teams below them lose such as Preston North End, Hull City or Luton Town, then they will also avoid an instant return to League One.

Having recorded back-to-back away wins, Derby go into Saturday's game against the Potters full of confidence with Pride Park Stadium set to be bursting at the seams this weekend.

As part of the build-up, here's my Rams notebook on the latest at Pride Park Stadium:

Leigh Bromby set to arrive

Former Huddersfield Town sporting director Leigh Bromby is set to be appointed as Derby County's interim recruitment lead.

A former team-mate of head coach John Eustace with Watford, Bromby will lead the club's transfer business this summer along with the heads of the "sporting intelligence unit", Mo Bobat and Ed Smith.

Should Derby retain their Championship status, they will face a big summer window with what will be Eustace's first opportunity to put a major mark on the squad.

There are nine players out of contract - Kane Wilson and Craig Forsyth, two players who have contributed enormously to the club's fight against relegation, among them.

Bromby started out coaching Leeds United's under-18 side before stepping up to join the academy staff on a full-time basis at Elland Road.

After leaving Leeds in 2014, he joined Huddersfield as professional development coach and also had a spell as their academy manager.

He was appointed as the club's new head of football operations at the end of the 2019-20 season but left in June 2023.

Curtis Davies scoops award

Former Derby County captain Curtis Davies has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to the Football League by scooping the prestigious Sir Tom Finney award.