Jak Netting

Derby County manager Paul Warne showed his delight for striker James Collins’ return to the pitch after an enforced six-week absence, during Derby’s 1-0 win at home to Blackpool.

When asked about the significance of his return ahead of the run-in, Warne told me: “Yeah, massive. I mean, in fairness he got a great ovation when he came on. I honestly thought I was putting on James Ibrahimović when he came on the pitch, so it’s great. But you know, you always need a focal point up top.”

The Irish striker has scored 13 goals in 33 appearances in League One this season, and is the Rams’ top scorer by some margin, which makes his return all the more important.

The 50-year-old manager did make a point of praising his other striking options, however, as he said: “I thought Wash [Conor Washington] was really good. I thought Waggy [Martyn Waghorn] was good last week, so you just need as much of your campaign as fit as possible. And Colo [Collins]’s definitely one of them in the same way.

“Last week when I thought I lost Mendez-Laing I was thinking, oh my God, if we miss him for three or four games, it’s a massive blow. But you know, you always want your best players fit and as the season gets near the end, we might get a couple or three back, which will be good.”

At 33 years old, Collins is among the more senior players in the squad, and Warne recognised his impact off the pitch as well as on it.

He said: “To have Colo [Collins] back is a massive boost because even when he’s off the pitch on the bench, he’s shouting and encouraging the team and he’s a real winner. He’s had promotions before and he knows what it takes and it helps in the dressing room and on the pitch.”

The Rams’ next game is a top-of-the-table clash against league-leaders Portsmouth, where Warne’s side could close the gap to just two points with a win.

The win today against Blackpool also sees Derby move six points clear of Bolton Wanderers, who are third, after they drew 0-0 away to Stevenage.