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The Rams' grip on an automatic promotion place was let-slip on Tuesday night, although it was a valuable point away to then-leaders Bournemouth as the season edges towards its end. With that in mind, an FA Cup run will perhaps be seen as secondary to an outfit so close to the promised land- with a replay certainly undesired in amongst a run of seven games in the notoriously short month of February (and one on January 31st).
The 53-year-old ex-England boss told his pre-match press conference:
McClaren: "We will make changes on Saturday. We have got a lot of games to come over the next few months, so we will freshen it up."
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) February 12, 2015
Of the team that played against Bournemouth, the hosts may choose to award goalscorer Darren Bent a starting berth, as well as considering first-teamers Craig Bryson and Ryan Shotton. Meanwhile, new signings Stephen Warnock and Jesse Lingard are available. Tom Ince will miss out as he is cup-tied.Derby County manager Steve McClaren has stated that their will be changes to his starting line-up for the visit of Reading in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday.
McClaren: "People think a lot about the #FACup and we are no different, it is an important game for us and it is one that we want to win."
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) February 12, 2015
Meanwhile, Reading may look to bring back the likes of Simon Cox and Hal Robson-Kanu, who were dropped for the midweek defeat to Leeds United.