Wayne Rooney still wants a Derby spot despite new competition and lack of wins

Wayne Rooney insists he still wants the Derby spot despite competition for the spot at the final club in the Championship.

Manchester United and England record scorer Rooney is preparing the Rams for Saturday’s game at Millwall as their keeper.

But former England captain John Terry, who is a coach at Aston Villa, also wants the job permanently.

Both are awaiting an acquisition at Pride Park to be completed by Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan.

The deal is very close, but completion has been delayed due to national holidays in the UAE on Wednesday and yesterday.

Rooney, 35, said Thursday: “The first thing is to get the property on the line.

“That is the first thing that must happen.

“I want to do this job full time, but we have to wait for all the paperwork to be sorted out and we’ll see what happens from there.”

Derby is on an 11-game winless streak and is five points from safety.

Rooney has been in charge of the last two home games against Wycombe and Coventry, which finished 1-1.

The player-coach will be back on the bench at the weekend after retiring from the squad to focus on management.

Rooney, who has kept fit at home, added: “It was good, I’m really enjoying it.

“There has been progress in the proceedings.”

Rival Terry has a backroom squad lined up that includes former Ram Ashley Cole, who is now Chelsea’s academy coach.

Terry has been endorsed by former Derby boss Frank Lampard, who said: “I think it’s a great opportunity for him.

“He is going to be a fantastic coach.”

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