Thursday 18 October 2018 16:42, UK
Derby manager Frank Lampard says midfielder Harry Wilson will not be recalled from his loan by Liverpool.
The 21-year-old has hit the headlines in recent weeks after scoring stunning free-kicks in Derby's Carabao Cup win over Manchester United and Wales' 1-0 victory over Ireland in the UEFA Nations League.
That has prompted some to suggest Wilson should be recalled from his season-long loan by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
"He's our player for the year", said Lampard. "He's a Liverpool player for the future. I've answered this with Mason Mount before. We are looking after them for a year and hopefully improving them. Liverpool fans shouldn't worry because hopefully we'll give them a very good Harry Wilson when he goes back.
"Harry will have a spring in his step; he should do. It was another great free-kick. I thought he played very well in the second half in particular. And that's what Harry can do, hopefully he can do that for us more."
Lampard is also keen for another of Derby's young loanees to continue improving. Nineteen-year-old midfielder Mason Mount received his first call-up into the senior England squad for the Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain. Although he did not feature in either match, Lampard thinks the experience will benefit his development.
"It would've been a great experience for him," said Lampard. "I'm disappointed he didn't get on but it was great for him anyway to witness one of the best England performances in the last 10 or 15 years. So for him to feel that and see what it takes to do that against a great team is great for him.
"It's all down to Mason now. He's come back here and a sense of reality will kick in. He now needs to step up his game even more. He got in the England squad on merit and will stay there on merit."
Derby are currently eighth in the Championship and play league leaders Sheffield United live on Sky Sports on Saturday evening. Although Lampard's side are only a point outside the play-off positions, he wants his team to become more consistent as they challenge for promotion to the Premier League.
"We are a bit of a work in progress for obvious reasons," he explained. "We have nine new players this year, a lot of youth, a bit of a change in the way we're trying to play and some new ideas so it's normal I think in some games that the consistency isn't there.
"We need to get there very quickly because you're not going to be successful in a league like this if you aren't consistent. That was the disappointing factor of last month - we're probably a few points shy of where we should be."
