Wayne Rooney, the Derby County manager, has launched a passionate defence of his players and staff amid more uncertainty off the field at the East Midlands club.
This week has seen administrators fail to name a preferred bidder owing to what they say are "delays beyond their control". Administrators Quantuma have been in place for more than six months now and with just a handful of games remaining there is the real prospect that Derby could finish the season still in ownership limbo.
On the field the side have put up a superb fight against the drop, despite being given two separate points deductions and having hardly any squad depth. Rooney's team are eight points from Championship safety and Saturday's home game with Preston North End is the start of the relegation run-in, with only six more games to follow.
