John Eustace cannot afford to drop ‘excellent’ Derby County ace vs Stoke City, it could be his last game for club

John Eustace cannot afford to drop ‘excellent’ Derby County ace vs Stoke City, it could be his last game for club

Derby County host Stoke City on Championship final day in an imperative fixture to stave off relegation to League One, and the clash could be the loanee’s last game for the Rams.

The 2024/25 Championship final day is geared up to be a fitting conclusion to the dramatic campaign, with relegation and play-off places yet to be decided.

Towards the foot of the table, Derby County host Stoke City in a relegation six-pointer on Saturday afternoon, with both sides still at risk in a Championship table survival battle.

A win for John Eustace’s side will ensure they retain second tier status, while a stalemate could thrust them into demotion danger as the Rams sit only one point above the bottom three ahead of Saturday’s round of fixtures as things stand.

Mark Robins’ visitors will go down if they are beaten at Pride Park, while Preston North End, Luton Town and Hull City simultaneously win.

With Championship futures on the line, one Rams ace will be crucial for Eustace’s hopes on final day, with it likely to be the loanee’s final game for Derby, with his return to Pride Park unlikely next season.

Loanee Harrison Armstrong is imperative for Derby County’s survival hopes

Derby County know the task at hand against Stoke to survive. Eustace will be hoping for three points to keep fate in their hands, while nervously checking results from adjacent relegation-threatened sides.

Pundits have predicted Derby to win on Saturday, and one Rams star that will be crucial for victory is Everton loanee Harrison Armstrong, who will likely be featuring for the final time in a Derby jersey this weekend.

18-year-old Armstrong has been in incredible form since his mid-season arrival on-loan from Premier League Everton, making 14 appearances so far in the heart of Eustace’s midfield.

Last time out in the Rams’ crucial win against Hull, Armstrong was pivotal in both defense and attack for Eustace’s side, completing eight passes into the final third, winning eight duels and making 22 out of 29 successful passes.

Since his switch from Blackburn Rovers, Eustace has been imperative to Derby’s second tier survival hopes, winning six of his 13 in charge at Pride Park. Equally, however, Armstrong has been another pivotal element to their fight against the drop, with the head coach heaping praise on the loan ace this term.

Via DerbyshireLive, Eustace has said of Armstrong: “He’s been excellent. He’s maturing into a very good player.

“Harrison is going to have a huge future, I’m sure, and it’s nice that he’s a part of Derby County at the moment. We’ll keep helping him on his journey.

“His defensive roles are very good, and he’s got a lovely touch. I think he’s getting more involved in our build-up play now.

“He’s a calming influence on the rest of the team. He knows when to put his foot on the ball and play.

“You can see he’s been educated very well and we’re very pleased that he’s a part of us at the moment.”

Armstrong is bound to keep his starting spot under Eustace on Saturday, on which will likely be his last Rams appearance, with multiple suitors above Derby in the Championship standings fighting for Armstrong’s signature.

Harrison Armstrong will want to leave Derby County on a high

Burnley and Sunderland have emerged as suitors for Armstrong, inevitable after his mature performances in the Rams’ engine room at only 18-years-old, and he will want to keep his promise to the supporters he made after signing on the final day.

Armstrong told Derby County’s media after signing: “I’ll give everything I can when I wear the shirt, you’ll never see me not give 100 per cent.”

Eustace has never beaten Robins before, and with the Rams needing victory to dodge the drop, Armstrong and his peers will have to perform no less than that 100 per cent to retain the club’s second tier status.

With interest in Armstrong making a Pride Park return unlikely next season, spearheading their final day survival bid would be a fitting way for the combative midfielder to end his short stint at Derby.

Get more related news on: https://sportviewers.com