Brayford on track to return for Rams
PLAYER-of-the-year John Brayford is on course to hand Derby County a boost this weekend.
Derby are hopeful that the defender will return to action in Saturday's Championship clash against Hull City at Pride Park after missing six games with a thigh injury.
-
John Brayford
"John is coming on very well and we are hoping he will be OK," said manager Nigel Clough.
"He will not train with the rest of the squad in the early part of this week, we will look towards Friday and see how he is."
Brayford had made 59 consecutive appearances since he signed from Crewe in the summer of 2010 and right-back has proved a problem position during his absence.
Centre-halves Russell Anderson and Jake Buxton have started there, and wide midfielders Lee Croft and Ben Davies have filled in.
Clough says Brayford has been missed.
"We've missed him at both ends of the pitch," said Clough. "He gives us impetus going forward and also he is a very good defender.
"Defensively, you can get away with things for only so long. We have just conceded six goals in the last two games and I think we are ready now for John Brayford and Shaun Barker to come back in and help shore things up."
Derby considered giving Brayford a run-out in tomorrow's reserve-team fixture against Sheffield United Reserves but have decided against it.
"I think John is the type of player you can throw straight back in without a reserve game. As long as he does a bit of training on Friday, he will be fine," said Clough.
"He is up to 90 per cent in the work he is doing. The test will be when he has to strike the ball, which you never really know until you do it."
Brayford was ever-present last season and did not miss a minute of action.
"It is rare for John to be injured," said Clough, who had Brayford in his squad at Burton Albion.
"I remember him having a little shin problem when we were at Burton and that kept him out for a few weeks but I cannot recall him having a muscle injury before," added Clough. "Hopefully that is him done for another three years now!"
62 Comments
View all
by ibelieveido
Friday, November 18 2011, 10:56AM
“EXTRAPOLATE AY......
thought that was to do with breaking somebody out of the nick.”
by UsedUserName
Friday, November 18 2011, 9:31AM
“It IS relegation form, that is an absolute fact as demonstrated by the table.
I really don't see how you could or would dispute the cold, hard facts. IF WE EXTRAPOLATE THE FORM UNTIL SEASON'S END, BOTH SIDES WOULD BE RELEGATED.
I hope typing it in uppercase somehow makes it easier for you to digest.”
by msg2003
Friday, November 18 2011, 9:04AM
“The should be recent form.... on the previous post...”
by msg2003
Friday, November 18 2011, 9:03AM
“UNN
Are you a journalist by trade? you have a very good way of putting words into people mouths... I was not comparing the ambitions of the 2 clubs, merely comparing their recent from in light of your previous 'relegation form' comments....”
by ibelieveido
Friday, November 18 2011, 8:04AM
“Anyway ,lets hope the Rams come out All guns blazing tomorrow
vs Hull.
Brayford back would be a huge bonus ,but only if he is up to it.
c.o.y.raaaaaaaaaaaaaams.”
by carlthetruth
Friday, November 18 2011, 6:12AM
“What a DIV”
by UsedUserName
Thursday, November 17 2011, 10:20PM
“http://tinyurl.com/7e6vqsg
They're running at barely 80% of our attendances, and with that are filling their new ground in their big season in the Championship, albeit there ground is significantly smaller than ours.
If you'd care to equate those figures to turnover, it's quite clear that they are a significantly smaller club than us yet you'd have us with the same ambition? Oh dear, no wonder you're satisfied with Clough.”
by iancrowther
Thursday, November 17 2011, 10:19PM
“UUN - Blah Blah Zzzzz”
by UsedUserName
Thursday, November 17 2011, 9:53PM
“I think you mean 'drivel' but perhaps your limited vocabulary can't cope with too many words of two syllables. Why not join Carl and just use "div"? At least then 'we' (as speaking for everybody seems to be en vogue today) can immediately understand what your limited intellect is trying to convey.
I think I'll continue to post as I see fit, but thanks for your input, and thanks again for joining up just to have what passes for 'a pop' in your own special way.”
by msg2003
Thursday, November 17 2011, 9:50PM
“UNN.
Not comparing to Brighton at all, just interesting that the form table has us on the same points as Brighton forn the last 8 games, relegation fodder for us and not for Brighton... In your eyes that is....
I wouldn't say they have tiny support either. I'm not sure what their attendences are home or away, but I'm sure they can't be the worst in the league.. I'll let you check that one...”