Injured Barker facing lay-off
DERBY County defender Shaun Barker is facing a number of weeks on the sidelines.
The £900,000 summer signing from Blackpool has been troubled by a thigh problem since pre-season and the injury has got worse.
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SCREAMER: Paul Dickov (left) celebrates after scoring Derby County's first goal against West Bromwich Albion with Lee Croft and Robbie Savage
His run of 10 consecutive starts ended on Saturday when he missed the 2-2 draw against high-flying West Bromwich Albion.
A scan in early October revealed that Barker had a tear in a thigh muscle. He was expected to be out for between four and six weeks but the 27-year-old felt fit enough to continue playing.
"It is the same injury and he made it worse in our previous home game against Reading," explained manager Nigel Clough.
"He had it scanned a few weeks ago and the tear in the muscle was a certain size but when he had it scanned again after the Reading game, the tear had got worse.
"We have to try to get it right because he has had it since the start of the season and has been playing with it.
"It could be weeks, we will just see how he responds.
Miles Addison was among the substitutes against Albion but not ready to start because of a nagging foot problem.
"Miles trained on Wednesday fine until the last few minutes. We did a few sprints and it left him struggling on Thursday and Friday," said Clough.
"He did not train on Friday. He did a bit Saturday morning and said he was OK but in that situation we have to put the fitter players out, even if meant moving Jay McEveley in from left back to centre back.
"Dean Leacock struggled with his neck in the warm-up and was a doubt."
McEveley filled in for Barker and was outstanding, just as he was in that position in the home victory over Sheffield Wednesday at the start of October.
"Jay did a sterling job in there for us. He became a father last week for the first time and I think his performance against West Brom capped a very good week for him," said Clough.
"I thought the lads who came back in, Dean Moxey and Lee Croft, did well and it was good to get Lee Hendrie on the pitch because he has been working hard in training and has been unlucky with the timing of his injuries."
Paul Green was absent with tight hamstrings.
The midfielder failed a fitness test on Saturday morning but Derby hope the injury eases in time for tomorrow's game at Preston.
104 Comments
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by Mick, Notts
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 10:41AM
“I know big Dave, remember Benny from Crossroads.”
by stoke ram, st10
Monday, December 07 2009, 8:40PM
“i here jack wilshere wants to go out on loan can we have him at pride park please mr clough,”
by Harpenden Ram, London
Monday, December 07 2009, 8:36PM
“Brian's Dog, I've just read that article, sounds like they would not be the only 2 leaving.
Bit of a shame we are in this sort of situation, I wonder what they mean by even keel????? suppose it's better to sell and consolidate, rather than keep them, lose them on free's then fall into financial meltdown.
As for Barker's injury, one word, RIDICULOUS.....
And Finally as for Big Dave from Bullwell, you're a prize T@@t, I can just see you there now saying 'Daaaan Bullwell' in your B@llsh@t Nottingham drawl..... Get a LIFE .....”
by Brian Clough's Dog, Over here
Monday, December 07 2009, 8:04PM
“Anybody seen the article on the SKY website about Hulse and Commons leaving if we get the right offers in January. Losing Hulse would be a disaster. I'm not so bothered with Commons given his ongoing injuries/fitness problems. I thought we had money to spend??????????”
by Ripley Dale, Ripley
Monday, December 07 2009, 7:38PM
“Big Dave, any man any time ,sure its not GAY DAVE !”
by Steve, Derby
Monday, December 07 2009, 5:05PM
“BIG DAVE, seriously chap, get life! You epitomise every typical Forest "supporter". Your a embarrassment mate!”
by Davies_For_Preston, Derby
Monday, December 07 2009, 3:33PM
“Look Dave, brother - I think you need to man-up a little - Get down the Bluey, ''any time, any man''...Come on you Rams.”
by Moot, Derby
Monday, December 07 2009, 3:26PM
“God you Forest fans have far to much time on your hands. This thread has become very boring and repetitive.
There's hardly any posts on the NEP site.”
by Ramsmad, Derby North
Monday, December 07 2009, 3:24PM
“Great game sat good comeback from 2-1 down and showed what the team is made of. 4-4-2 looked much more solid and for all those that left at 2-1 down with 1 minute to go.. Do you ever learn your lesson... we had a party when we scored and it was the best feeling in the world after seeing them go 2-1 up and running infront of us with his hand to his ear......not doing that a minute later i think.
We need to sort out the injury crisis as we have proved with most playrs fit we can match any team in this average division. ( Newcastle not included ).
Roll on tomorrow night first away win of the season 2-0.
YOU RAMSSSSS”
by Andy, Derby the man who tells it how it is
Monday, December 07 2009, 3:22PM
“Nice one MB”