Derby County midfielder Morgan Whittaker has admitted that whilst he he is happy with the progress that he has made this season, he is now determined to establish himself as a regular member of the first-team.

The 19-year-old, who is a product of the club's youth academy, was given his first taste of senior football against Scunthorpe United in the League Cup in August.

Despite illustrating some signs of promise during the club's second-round defeat in this particular competition to Nottingham Forest, Whittaker was made to wait until Boxing Day to make his league debut for the club in their clash with Hull City.

Since this particular fixture, the winger has made 13 appearances in all competitions as the Rams have experienced somewhat of a resurgence under the guidance of manager Phillip Cocu.

Given that Martyn Waghorn and Tom Lawrence are currently both ahead of him in the pecking order at Pride Park, Whittaker may be limited to cameo displays when the season eventually resumes due to the fact that Derby have an outside chance of reaching the play-offs.

Speaking to the club's official website about the progress that he has made this season, the England Under-19 international said: "I am just happy to play football because I think last year when you are not in the first-team you are thinking 'I'd just be happy to be on the bench.'

"When you get to be on the bench, you are just happy to be playing, then you want to be starting.

"Even playing with the Under-23's or the Under-19's it is another opportunity to show why I should be in a match-day or in a match-day squad."

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The Verdict

When you consider that Whittaker has been given the opportunity to test himself at senior level, it is hardly surprising that he is determined to become a key player for Derby in the not-too distant future.

Whilst the winger may find it difficult to establish himself as a mainstay in the Rams' squad during the remainder of the current campaign, there is no reason why he cannot follow in the footsteps of Jayden Bogle and Max Bird who have both established themselves as regular starters for the senior side after graduating from the club's academy.

However, in order to aide his development, it could be argued that Whittaker may benefit from a temporary spell away from Derby.

By joining a lower league side who can guarantee him first-team football, the winger could return to Pride Park as a much-more accomplished player.