Derby boss Paul Warne says Wanderers have built a “formidable League One team” ahead of next week’s trip to the UniBol.

The Rams are currently sixth in the table – just a point behind the Whites heading into the busy Christmas period.

Warne – who took charge at Pride Park back in September -  is expecting a tough test against Ian Evatt’s men and says both sides will see it as a chance to lay down “a big marker”.

He told the club’s YouTube channel: “They have got a lot of similarities with us. They have had three windows now to build a formidable League One team.

“You can always see the teams who invest - sometimes it is not the first year, it is the second year. You can see the Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesdays are a bit stronger now as well.

“They know the league, they know the opposition, they know each other. They have had the same manager for a period of time, and they have got a good following and some really good players.

“With any team in this league, if you play them on their best day it is a difficult game. Even more so with the teams in the top six.

“And teams in the top six, when they play us, will think, ‘if we beat Derby in front of our crowd on TV, it is a big marker’. I am well aware that Ian will think the same as me.

“It is a big game for both teams, and hopefully it will be a good one. Whoever comes out on top, if a team does, will give themselves a massive boost going into the remainder of the festive fixtures.”

Derby have no new injury concerns but experienced defender James Chester will not be back in time to face Wanderers.

Warne added: “I don’t think we have got any issues at all. (James) is doing his last little box tick today, and then he is training with the full squad tomorrow.

“He won’t be involved at Bolton unless something catastrophic happens! He needs a couple of weeks of really intensive training.”