WAYNE ROONEY has called on the Derby board to bring in new players quickly – with the Championship season kicking off in less than two weeks.
The Rams boss admitted it has been a testing time with his squad several players short and he cannot afford to let anyone go.
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Derby have just nine registered players currently, two of whom are goalkeepers, so Rooney is desperate for new additions soon.
He told Sky Sports: “It’s other people which I can’t control who need to make bigger decisions that I do.
“All I can do is try to bring some dignity and pride back to this club. It is clear that has gone in the last few years and it is my job to bring that back. I need other people to do their job.
“It’s not ideal, it has been very difficult not knowing what my squad will be in two weeks’ time when the league starts. However we can, we need to get that sorted.”
The Manchester United legend has filled his team with triallists in pre-season friendlies but despite the hardship he is not ready to give up.
He added: “If I am being honest, it would be easy for a manager in my situation to walk away. It’s a challenge for me, I’m a fighter.
“I am grateful to Derby for giving me this opportunity and I will do everything I can to get the club through this.
“If we can’t bring players in over the next two weeks I do not know how we field a team to start the season.”
Derby recently came out of an EFL-imposed transfer embargo but are still not allowed to sign players from other clubs.
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That means Rooney may decide to snap up free agents like Phil Jagielka, Tom Carroll and Ravel Morrison, who have been on trial at the club.
Nottingham Forest recently tried to take advantage of their bitter rivals’ predicament by targeting defender Lee Buchanan.
But according to the Nottingham Post Derby have rejected a bid worth £2million for the 20-year-old.
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