Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney's challenge of keeping Derby County in the Championship this season has been made all the more difficult, following the news that the Rams have been hit with a further nine-point deduction.
Already rooted to the foot of the Championship table and facing relegation to League One in the face, the Rams, who have now been docked a total of 21 points this season, now have -3 points to their name.
Derby have landed themselves in hot water this season after falling foul of the EFL's Profitability and Sustainability rules, which have come as a result of their heavy spending in recent years in an attempt to reach the Premier League.
Now, Derby face an almighty challenge to stay in the Championship this season and avoid relegation to the third-tier of English football for the first time since 1986.
The Rams have confirmed that the club, via its administrators, has also agreed, following last week’s adjournment, to the dismissal of its appeal against the 12-point deduction imposed as a consequence of the Pride Park outfit entering administration in September, meaning that particular sanction continues to apply, taking their overall hit to 21 points deducted this season.
Fortunately, on the pitch, Rooney has only overseen five losses in their opening 17 games this season, meaning the situation could have been far worse. However, the latest setback, which has left them on -3, means they are now 18 points from safety, making the challenge increasingly difficult.
The former United man initially took charge of Derby on an interim basis exactly a year ago and landed the job on a permanent basis in January.
By the skin of his and Derby's teeth, Rooney and the Rams avoided relegation to League One last season, securing a point on the final day of the season in a 3-3 draw against Sheffield Wednesday, who went down themselves as a result of that outcome. The Owls, too, were hit with a points deduction of their own last season, but they had just six points taken off them following an appeal.
For Rooney, the challenge of keeping Derby in the Championship now looks like an almost impossible task, meaning he will require nothing short of miracles to get them out of danger.
The Rams are currently on a run of seven games without a win, highlighting even further just how big a challenge the former United man faces.
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