Derby County's Academy youngsters head into the final four games of the season on the back of two outstanding results - but they face a break from the norm.

Kevin Thelwell's side rounded off their fixtures against their Group D opponents with a 4-1 hammering of Barnsley on Saturday, seven days after their 1-0 success against Nottingham Forest.

Now they have a break this weekend before travelling to Everton - currently third in Group D of the FA Premier Academy League - on March 15.

Home games against West Bromwich Albion and Crewe Alexandra sandwich a trip to Liverpool before the season comes to a close.

And speaking to www.dcfc.co.uk, Thelwell said: "We are really looking forward to these games.

"They happen at the start of the season and again at the end, and they are very good games to play.

"It is a good experience to play someone different so we are all looking forward to seeing how they pan out."

Derby's early-season fixtures saw them lose to Reading, Leicester City, Bolton Wanderers and Manchester City, as well as recording victories over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Stoke City.

The games all count towards each team's final points total and the Rams have boosted theirs with two successive victories.

Paris Simmons struck a brace with Tyron Amory and Matt Richards also on target to see off Barnsley last weekend.

It was a result and performance that pleased Thelwell - particularly as many of his youngsters had also been involved in two tough reserve-team matches of late.

"We were two-up and got a bit sloppy so Barnsley got one back before half-time but we went on from there and overall we dominated the game from start to finish," he said.

"The boys had complete control of the game and that was very pleasing, especially after the Forest result and spirited performances for the reserves against Fulham and Portsmouth.

"For most of the boys it has been a run of four games in ten days so you are asking them to play almost continually - but they are coping admirably."

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