CRAIG Short has had extra help this week from a coach who spent more than a decade developing young players at Derby County.

Oxford United interim boss Short has been supported by his former Rams colleague Pat Lyons, who in July stepped down as senior professional development phase coach at Pride Park.

He spent 14 years with the Rams, the last eight of which in charge of the Under-21s.

Meanwhile, U’s academy coach Chris Hackett aided Short on the touchline as the side romped to a 5-0 win at home to Chelsea Under-21s in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.

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Short said: “Chris Hackett has kindly stood up and helped me, and I’ve still got Lewis Price in as goalkeeping coach, but I needed someone else.

“Pat Lyons, an old colleague of mine at Derby, has kindly come down to help me for a few days.

“Liam [Manning] and Chris [Hogg] were so organised, and so diligent in their approach to things, I just want to keep on top of things.

“Pat’s been a very good help and he came down and stayed at my house, and he’ll be staying for a few days and helping me on Saturday.”

Sheffield United’s Max Lowe, Rams midfielder Max Bird and Plymouth Argyle forward Morgan Whittaker are among those to have come through the Derby youth system in recent years.