Derby County eye double injury boost vs Sheffield United as John Eustace reports fresh blow
Derby County boss John Eustace has shared mixed news on the injury front ahead of Saturday’s clash with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Injury-hit Derby County are hopeful of welcoming a couple of players back into contention ahead of Saturday’s trip to Sheffield United, head coach John Eustace has confirmed, but they will be without captain Lewis Travis.
The Rams have been decimated by injuries in recent weeks, leaving them without their first-choice goalkeeper, three centre-backs, three left-backs and right-back Max Johnston.
As a result, Eustace had to include two right-backs and a winger in his four-man defence against Stoke City last weekend, with Dion Sanderson the only natural centre-back available for selection.
Fortunately, Eustace has confirmed that Johnston, who last featured in the Rams’ 3-0 defeat to West Ham United on September 5, returned to training this week. This means he is in contention to be included in the squad travelling to Bramall Lane for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.
“Max has joined back in this week, which is great,” Eustace told RamsTV. “It's a really positive sign to see Max back on the training pitch.”
Meanwhile, Eustace has also confirmed that he hopes midfielder Alex Mowatt will be available for the clash with Chris Wilder’s side, after the former West Bromwich Albion man missed last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Stoke City with a foot problem.
Eustace continued: “Mowwy will be touch-and-go for the weekend. He had a bad cut to the foot, and he's had stitches on it.
“He hasn't trained fully yet, so we'll have to wait and see on him.”
However, the Rams boss has confirmed that he will be without skipper Lewis Travis, who suffered an ankle injury against Stoke City last time out. He expects the midfielder to remain sidelined until the November international break.
“Trav is going to be out until the next international break now, which is of course a big blow,” Eustace added. “It's a different injury [to his previous one]. It was from a tackle; he's gone over on his ankle, unfortunately.”
Meanwhile, Eustace kept his cards close to his chest when he was asked if former United centre-back Jack Robinson, who joined the club on a short-term deal just under a week ago, will be available for selection against his old club.
The Derby chief said: "He has taken part in a couple of exercises, but he hasn't taken part in the whole session yet. He's done a couple of little bits.
“Obviously, Jack did a pre-season at Birmingham, and he hasn't done anything really apart from a few jogs throughout the last eight or nine weeks, whatever it is.
"It won't take him too long to get up to speed. He's a very experienced pro. He's still kept himself in good shape, so let's wait and see.”