Rooney poses in Derby kit ahead of first visit to Pride Park as player-coach

Wayne Rooney was all smiles as he pulled on the Derby County kit for the first time as he prepares to join up with the rest of the squad ahead of their next match.

Sportsmail exclusively revealed on Tuesday that the former Manchester United striker is due to be at Saturday's game against Queens Park Rangers and will be sat alongside manager Phillip Cocu in the dugout.

Rooney, 34, is not expected to make his debut for Derby until facing Barnsley in the Championship on January 2, with the required paperwork, including international clearance, expected to be completed by that date.

But even with fans set to wait for Rooney's opening match, the club's new player-coach got down to work as he posed for photographs in the kit and got down to work in training with the rest of the squad.

Holding up his finger in a No 1 gesture, Rooney looked delighted to be in his new surroundings as he bids to galvanise a squad low on confidence after a difficult start to the season.

'It's obviously going to be a challenge,' Rooney told RamsTV. 'It's a different league which I haven't played in before. I have watched the Championship my whole career so I know what to expect in that respect.

'But I think it is great to be back in the dressing room and back around the banter around the lads and it will be a good month getting to know the players and have some sort of input with them.'

It represents a positive that Rooney will walk out in front of a home crowd at Pride Park as Cocu's side aim for a sixth consecutive home win.

On the road the Rams were humbled having put in a below par performance midweek in what ended up as a 3-0 defeat to Fulham.

Cocu has seemingly embraced the arrival of Rooney as part of his playing and coaching staff and feels the timing works for a squad, sat 14th in the league, that are in need of a lift.

'It's positive for everyone and himself as well,' he said.

'It's good that he is here and the fans can see him. He will get involved in team tactics and we can use and benefit from his experience.

'He will get to know the way we want to play and how we want to work. He will be important between the link up in players and management. It's an important period for us to make a good combination.'