'Hopefully' - Derby County boss shares Jack Robinson fitness update ahead of Sheffield United clash
Derby County are experiencing an injury nightmare ahead of their trip to Sheffield United this weekend.
Derby County head coach John Eustace has not ruled out the possibility of new recruit Jack Robinson making his debut against his former club, Sheffield United, at Bramall Lane on Saturday.
Derby confirmed Robinson’s arrival on a short-term deal last Saturday amid a series of defensive injury problems that have left them with just one available centre-back.
The Rams have experienced a very difficult start to the season, losing seven of their first 11 Championship matches. They are currently without Matt Clarke, Eiran Cashin and Sondre Langås. Their problems at full-back have also been severe, with all three of their specialist left-backs currently sidelined.
Having suffered a series of cruel injury setbacks in defence, the Rams moved to sign Robinson on a free transfer, offering him a deal until January. He had been without a club since leaving Birmingham City at the beginning of September.
The former Liverpool player, who left Bramall Lane just over a year ago, completed a full pre-season at Birmingham City. However, he has not played since April, meaning he will almost certainly need some time to get up to speed.
Although Robinson has played down the likelihood of making his Derby debut against the Blades at Bramall Lane, Rams chief Eustace has not entirely ruled out the possibility of the defender making his bow for his new club on familiar territory.
As quoted by Derbyshire Live, Eustace said: “The club have highlighted Jack to come in with the experience he has got, which is great. We’re obviously very low on numbers at the moment, defensively, so hopefully he can get as fit as possible quickly and he can help the group.
“He hasn’t done much for a few weeks, I believe, but we’ve got to get him up to speed quickly because we need reinforcements there.
“There’s nothing like the game fitness, but we’ve got to get him right as quickly as we can.”
Derby, who won 3-1 at Bramall Lane last season, are winless in their winless in their last seven matches, losing five.