Wayne Rooney is set to make his debut on his Derby County move on Thursday when they host Championship relegation threat side Barnsley.
Derby’s manager Phillip Cocu could call on the 34-year-old from the start against the Tykes. He said:
“He’s fit, he can start but he will need a few games,” said Cocu.
“So maybe not perfect from the start but it’s important he will get in the team as soon as possible so we get a certain shape in our team.
“If a player with the qualities, career and the experience of Rooney (is available) you have to be very happy and glad he is here, so I don’t need a suspension to consider him in the first XI, to be honest.
“Expectation will be high when he starts playing but we have to give him a few games to build up his minutes and get in the team.”
“We don’t have too many numbers at the moment, so to have a quality player like Rooney is more than welcome,” he said.
Rooney started the decade with a Manchester United side that was challenging for the Premier League title.
He starts the next with a Rams side that is close to the relegation zone in the second tier of English football as they are to the play-off places after 25 games.
