Derby County manager Frank Lampard has hailed Chelsea's decision to permit Nigerian defender Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount to play against their parent club in next week's Carabao Cup clash at Stamford Bridge.

Tomori, an England U21 international, joined the Rams on a season-long loan from Chelsea in the summer and has gone on to make 16 successive starts in all competitions, including three in the Carabao Cup.

Carabao Cup rules allow for clubs in the competition to make such agreements for players to appear against their parent clubs and Chelsea have accepted the Rams’ request for the pair to feature.

''I am really pleased for these young Chelsea lads, who have come through the system and whose dream it is to play at Stamford Bridge," said Lampard to Sky Sports.

"Probably not for Derby - that's kind of strange for them - but at the moment they are giving us great service but we respect the fact they are Chelsea players.

"I have to completely say thank you to Chelsea because it was their call, their decision. I think they have seen the bigger picture in terms of what a great experience it will be for their players.

"I am very thankful to Chelsea - they didn't have to do that - and I think it is a classy move from them."

Tomori has played only once for Chelsea in a competitive match, against Leicester City on the final day of the 2015-2016 season when he replaced Branislav Ivanović in the 60th minute.

Igho Kingsley

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