Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth believes that Derby County are ‘too big for League One’, as the Chairboys prepare to take on the Rams at Adams Park this weekend.

It’s the first time since the 1985/86 season that the former Premier League team are in the third tier of English football, and they are hoping for an immediate return to the Championship following their relegation last spring.

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As it stands, the Rams are unbeaten in 15 league games, recording nine victories and six draws, with their six previous wins coming consecutively.

However, they will be taking on a Wycombe team that have lost just three times since the start of November, and have conceded only 11 goals from the start of October.

Additionally, Wanderers have kept seven clean sheets from their last 11 games.

Speaking ahead of Derby’s visit to Adams Park this weekend, he said: “We will be up against one of the best teams in the league, and I really do think Derby County can nick second place.

“I really do, and I would not be surprised if Paul Warne does it again [earn promotion].

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“Derby are on a real charge at the moment and we know what Paul is all about, as he has done it with Rotherham multiple times.

“They are a huge club and they are far too big to be in League One.”

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On the Rams’ personnel, which includes several former and current internationals, Ainsworth added: “Derby have got some brilliant players in David McGoldrick, Connor Hourihane, and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing – all of them were in the Premier League a few years ago.

“The talent they possess is endless so we know that this will be a tough test.”

“So we just need to get stuck in and show everyone what we can do.”