Paul Warne issues Lars-Jorgen Salvesen update amid Derby County debut question
Paul Warne will have no issue with including Lars-Jorgen Salvesen in Derby County's squad to face Watford at the weekend (3pm), but it all hinges on what he sees in the next 24 hours.
Salvesen wrapped up his move to Pride Park on Wednesday from Viking FK for an undisclosed fee sparking questions as to whether he would make his debut on Saturday.
Salvesen's season with Viking ended at the start of December, and he has not played competitively since. However, he has been keeping himself in shape despite his lack of game time.
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The Norwegian did train today with the squad for the first time and asked whether he could be involved to face Watford at the weekend, Derby's head coach has not ruled out the 28-year-old making an appearance.
"He has done quite a bit of training," said Warne. "I said in a previous interview it's a bit like him playing Matlock this weekend - it's like our first pre-season game for him.
"That's where he is at really. Physically, he looks okay, but he is going to train today. He hasn't got his own little integration plan - he's with the squad straight away.
"There is only about 10 of them on the grass so it will be good for him socially as well as physically. Then he will do extra work in the afternoons. That aside, if I really like what I see in the next two days and think he can come on for 10 minutes then I will put him in the squad.
"I've got no issue with that unless there's some massive injury flag that somebody brings my attention. The sooner you're involved the better. When you go to a new club there is always a lot of nervous energy used up in the first couple of days, but it's a real nice honeymoon period where you feel wanted and excited.
"As a management team, we want to jump on the back of that and maybe the adrenaline will get him through. Maybe Saturday is too soon and it probably is logically, but if he looks amazing then I've got no issues bringing him in."
