Rejoice, the international break is almost over, and Derby County return to action this Saturday with a trip to Preston North End, but Paul Warne has some injury concerns ahead of the match.
Derby County went into the break with a 1-1 draw against Plymouth Argyle, and the fact that the point was a disappointment speaks everything about the Rams’ season thus far.
Paul Warne has guided his club to 12th position in the Championship standings after 15 games, but Derby are technically closer to the drop zone than the play-offs.
The next four games are critical for Derby if they wish to escape the relegation race and establish themselves in a comfortable position this season.
The Rams’ next game is at Deepdale against Preston, who are now four points and eight places below them.
Paul Warne missing two players for Derby County away day
Ahead of the game, we know Warne will be without Ryan Nyambe and Tawanda Chirewa, who are both out with long-term injuries.
Nyambe suffered a major knee injury against Millwall a month ago and might be out for up to six months.
Chirewa, meanwhile, is anticipated to be out until the middle of December with a thigh problem, following what Paul Warne termed as a ‘freak’ incident.
David Ozoh and Callum Elder could return
However, Warne may be boosted by the return of two vital players, David Ozoh and Callum Elder, who are both close to full fitness.
Ozoh suffered a hamstring injury in a September win over Cardiff City, and he could return to the Derby County lineup for the Preston encounter.
Elder, the Australian full-back, has been in and out of the team this season due to injuries, but is expected to return before the end of the month.
Preston North End hit with plenty of injuries
Derby’s next opponents are dealing with even more serious injuries, with four players out for Saturday, another uncertain, and one suspended.
Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom is scheduled to be missing Robbie Brady (ankle injury), Patrick Bauer (elbow injury), Will Keane (tendons), and Ched Evans (muscular strain).
Meanwhile, Milutin Osmajic still has one game remaining on his eight-game suspension for biting Blackburn Rovers player Owen Beck.
The one plus for Heckingbottom is that Liam Lindsay is merely a doubt for the game and might make his way into the matchday squad if he gets through the rest of the week without incident.
Ebou Adams at risk of suspension
There is one other factor Paul Warne has to consider for the Preston game, and indeed the next few fixtures, and that is the disciplinary record of Ebou Adams.
While Adams leads England’s top four leagues in tackles and interceptions, he will have to be extra careful while diving into his next challenge, as one more yellow card would result in a one-game suspension.
In fact, Adams must make it through game week 19 without another booking, when tallies will be reset for the next portion of the season.
