Derby County superkid Giles Barnes has been warned he faces a battle to keep his place in the Premiership next season.

"I think Barnes is further behind than one or two other young players we've got at the club," said Rams boss Billy Davies.

"He's got great potential and an opportunity now to prove his consistency and that's been my argument to Giles Barnes all the time - he's got to find consistency.

"He will be given a run in the team only if he is consistent. He's got potential and he's certainly now got the stage to play on, along with David Jones, Stephen Pearson, Stephen Bywater and a number of our other young players.

"Like the rest of us, they are looking forward to this difficult challenge."