Derby County will be feeling anxious with the new Championship season less than a week away.

Last season was one to forget for the Rams who only managed to avoid relegation from the second tier on the final day of the season, but with various off-field issues posing problems this summer, it means that this term might be just as frustrating.

The season starts against Huddersfield Town who seem likely to be battling at the bottom end of the table as well which means that this could be a huge contest for Wayne Rooney's side as they look to get the season off to the best possible start.

So what dilemmas is Rooney facing ahead of this one? Let's take a look.

 

 

Lee Buchanan

The full-back could be excused for having his head turned of late.

As well as attracting interest from the likes of Nottingham Forest, Buchanan looks set to miss the start of the season due to a thigh injury.

This is far from ideal for Wayne Rooney who will be scratching his head as to what side has the best opportunity of beating the Terriers.

Selecting youth

Wayne Rooney may well turn his attention to the club's talented crop of young players.

With a paper-thin squad, Derby face a real dilemma going into this match with the average age of their squad to face Notts County over the weekend being just 22.

Of course the Rams will be looking to name as experienced a side as possible, but with options limited it means that Rooney may have to throw these players in at the deep end.