Derby County boss: Carlisle United clash not David v Goliath

The Rams are one of League One’s biggest clubs and will bring a sell-out away following to Brunton Park.

But Warne insists there is little to separate the sides in the build-up to Saturday’s showdown.

“There’s no easy games and this definitely isn’t,” said Warne.

“They’ve got promotion, the fans will turn up, taking us on.

“I appreciate they’re only three points behind us so we’re not talking about a David and Goliath thing here – anything but.

“They work really hard. In the games we’ve watched the three in midfield have been excellent [as have] the two up top – [Luke] Plange has been one of them, he was here…

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“I know their strengths so to speak and we’ll have to be at our very best.”

Warne also revealed why he had a particular soft spot for his opposite number and former Derby favourite Paul Simpson.

“I really like the manager – more so because he tried to sign me once. I feel like he knows a footballer…” Warne added on Rams TV.

Warne said Paul Simpson tried to sign him during his playing days (Image: PA)

“I’m looking forward to the game, to taking it to them as best we can.

“Our away performances have been good up to now.

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“I don’t feel like we’re far off – we just need to get a run of games together. Hopefully it will start this Saturday.”

Warne, who celebrated a year in charge at 12th-placed Derby this week, could involve new defensive signing Ryan Nyambe.

The free agent and former Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers man joined the club this week.

Derby, though, are without Conor Hourihane, who has a hamstring injury, while Max Bird and Joe Ward are still sidelined.

Also missing are Liam Thompson, Tyreece John-Jules and Jake Rooney.