Derby County boss Wayne Rooney says he cannot wait for the East Midlands derby against Nottingham Forest this weekend.
The Rams boss has been involved in just one clash between Derby and Forest, a 1-1 draw in July 2020, but is yet to experience the rivalry with fans in attendance.
With last season's meetings both resulting in 1-1 draws, Rooney hopes to add further misery onto Forest following a poor start to the season.
The Reds are yet to pick up a single point from their four Championship matches so far, losing to Coventry City, Bournemouth, Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City.
Speaking to DerbyshireLive ahead of Saturday's clash at Pride Park, Rooney said: "I can't wait, I can't wait.
"I hope they are ready because these players will be ready. Of course they (Forest) haven't had a good start and we have had a positive start to the season."
Derby County are suffering an injury crisis at Pride Park with several key players currently on the sidelines.
Jason Knight (ankle), Kornell McDonald (hamstring) and Festy Ebosele (knee) are all unlikely to be involved until after the international break, whilst captain Tom Lawrence (groin) may undergo an injection in order to feature against Forest.
Colin Kazim-Richards (Achilles) and Krystian Bielik (knee) are longer-term injuries.
Speaking after a defeat to Sheffield United in the Carabao Cup, Rooney said: "I think for the younger players who played, the problem we have got now is where do they get the game time now.
"We are out of the Carabao Cup. I can't risk them in the under-23s otherwise I can't fill my bench for first-team games.
"It is a problem, it is an issue, it needs looking at, it needs fixing, it needs taking care of.
"Hopefully that gets taken care of, but that is out of my control, really. All I can do is focus on the players I have got here and try and improve them, make them better players, and that's my job."
