Wayne Rooney lets Derby players spend more time with their families

Wayne Rooney is playing Derby County's easter bunny as he plots the great escape from relegation.

Rooney has given his players extra family time on Sunday before the serious job of preparing for Monday's make-or-break game at QPR.

Having looked doomed following a 21-point deduction for breaching EFL rules and going into administration, Derby kept their faint survival hopes alive by upsetting leaders Fulham 2-1 on Friday night.

However they remain nine points from safety with four games left and go to Loftus Road having lost their last nine on the road.

'We have to change the away form if we want to stay up,' said Rooney. 'We will give the players a couple of extra hours with their families and children on Sunday morning, train a bit later than usual and then travel down and get ready for a tough game.

'We have to win. We can’t come away with anything less than three points.'

Rooney has impressed in trying to keep Derby afloat on the pitch while US businessman Chris Kirchner prepares to complete a takeover.

'I've said through the season our away performances have been really good but we haven't got over the line.'

He hopes maverick forward Ravel Morrison can return after missing the Fulham win. 'He didn't feel well at five o'clock in the morning of the game and spoke to the doctor. He hasn't got Covid so we will see and hopefully get him back.'