Winnall scored his first goal for Derby County on Saturday, against Sheffield Wednesday’s next opponents.
Gary Rowett has hinted at a first start for Sam Winnall in the near future, after the Sheffield Wednesday striker scored the first goal of his Derby County loan spell on Saturday.
Winnall scored with his first touch as Derby drew 1-1 with Birmingham City, who are Wednesday’s next opponents, last time out.
And Rowett told the Derby Telegraph he has been pleased with the start made by the 26-year-old.
“Sam has settled in really well,” he said. “He plays the game in a hungry way and he is desperate to do well.
“He made a difference when he came on (against Birmingham), he got the goal and he will certainly be in the reckoning to start in the next few games.
“Sam is a player you want to give an opportunity to at some point, the same as any player.
“We have not signed players to sit on the bench or to just make up the numbers. If we are signing players to make a difference, then of course at some point you have got to give them a chance to be that difference.
“You can see how energetic he is, how hungry he is. You can see in training how much he wants to score goals.”
The loss of Winnall, who moved to Derby on a loan swap deal involving Rams midfielder Jacob Butterfield, was seen as a blow by several Sheffield Wednesday supporters.
The former Barnsley striker scored 14 goals for both the Tykes and Wednesday last season, but found his opportunities limited at Hillsborough following the capture of Jordan Rhodes.
Butterfield made his fourth substitute appearance for the Owls on Sunday, which brought his first defeat for his temporary employers – at the hands of local rivals Sheffield United.
Are Wednesday missing Winnall?
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