Derby boss Wayne Rooney has explained his limited use of on-loan Everton midfielder Beni Baningime.

Baningime, 22, has made only one start since joining his former team-mate at Pride Park and has not featured for the last five matches, appearing for a total of 93 minutes over 12 games.

Rooney told the Derby Telegraph: "You bring a player in and you want to try and give them time to impress, but at the minute the way we have been going it has been hard for me to give him minutes.

“I think the middle of the pitch is a very important position for the team and it is just about picking the right time for him to come in and take the chance when he does."

Derby host Luton Town after the international break with eight matches of the season remaining.