Preston North End boss Ryan Lowe delivers honest Derby County verdict ahead of Saturday’s clash

Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe has admitted that he believes that Derby County are one of the best footballing sides in the Championship and has lauded Wayne Rooney for the job that he has done at the club.

Despite the fact that the Rams have been deducted 21 points this season and are currently in administration, they still have an outside chance of avoiding relegation to League One.

Currently eight points adrift of Reading in the second-tier standings, Derby could potentially close this particular gap if they defeat Preston at Pride Park this weekend.

The Lilywhites will be determined to get back to winning ways in this particular fixture after recently suffering a heavy defeat at the hands of Luton Town.

If they manage to seal victory on Saturday, Preston could move above arch-rivals Blackpool in the table if Neil Critchley’s side slip up in their meeting with Nottingham Forest.

Ahead of the club’s clash with Derby, Lowe has delivered an honest verdict on their opponents.

Speaking in his pre-match press-conference (as cited by Preston’s official Twitter account), Lowe said: “It will be a tough challenge.

“I think Derby are one of the best footballing teams in the league, I think what Wayne has done is borderline incredible to get the points they have got in the position that they have been in.”

The Verdict

It is hardly a surprise that Lowe has made this admission about Derby as they have produced some eye-catching displays under the guidance of Rooney this season.

Saturday’s game will be a test for Preston as the Rams have only lost three of their 19 home league fixtures this season and will be desperate to seal all three points in front of their supporters.

The Lilywhites will need the likes of Cameron Archer