Rams keeper Bywater responding well to treatment on back problem
STEPHEN Bywater (left) is responding well to treatment on his back problem.
Derby County's first-choice goalkeeper lasted only 13 minutes of the defeat at Reading last week and has missed the last two games.
-
He was due to do some light training yesterday and today as he bids to be fit for Saturday's Championship clash against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.
"We'll see how Stephen is for the weekend but his back is improving and he is absolutely desperate to play," said manager Nigel Clough.
David Martin has come in on a month's loan from Liverpool and started against Doncaster Rovers and Middlesbrough.
"He has done well, so there are no problems there," said Clough, who says Bywater's injury will be treated with caution.
"We don't want Stephen to play and then be out for three or four weeks, or the rest of the season," added Clough.
Bywater had been ever-present before injury struck.
Gary Teale played 90 minutes for Derby County in a behind-closed-doors game at Moor Farm yesterday.
Teale is working his way back from a torn calf muscle.
The winger last featured for the first team when he came on as a substitute in the draw against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane at the beginning of February.
His last start was in the home defeat by Blackpool on Boxing Day.
Jake Buxton's firm header from a Greg Mills' corner gave Derby the lead at half-time against Crewe Alexandra yesterday but the defence crumbled when Buxton went off and three quick goals saw Crewe run out 3-1 winners.
Dean Moxey, David Martin, Ben Pringle and Lee Croft all started. Croft, like Teale, played the full 90 minutes.
Croft has not appeared for the first team in the League since Boxing Day. His only appearance since was in the FA Cup third-round replay against Millwall.
Lee Hendrie did not feature in the private friendly. The midfielder is working in one-on-one sessions with coach Johnny Metgod as he looks to recover from hamstring trouble.
Derby's team v Crewe: Deeney; Croft, Mendy, Buxton, Dudley; Mills, Pringle, Teale, Moxey; Martin, R Connolly.
27 Comments
View all
by Nick, Derby
Thursday, March 18 2010, 3:52PM
“My point Gaz, is that the forest fans on here always bring up europe success, which is history, and then the derby fans bite, and then the whole discussion goes completely of subject and gets tedious.
Apart from the first couple of comments, mine included, how many on here relatet to the Deeney/Bywater story.
Im not the pot calling the kettle black at all, I am merely saying that the comments turn to a farce every day, and I know both sets of fans are as bad.
And Gaz, you are one of the worst. The comments left by many are the reason why I dont often comment.
Good luck to Forest, I hope they do well, they are better than us this season, and they deserve their position, much as we deserve ours.
Seems my comment strikes a sour chord with you though Gaz. Grow Up.”
by Red, in Bed
Thursday, March 18 2010, 3:12PM
“Nick, well said, but try reading the NEP, most days Derby fans have a go at Billy or that Forest ONLY get 25, 000 home gate, Pathetic from both sides,when in fact we both want the same for our club, STABILITY”
by GAZ, Derby
Thursday, March 18 2010, 3:09PM
“Nick, pot calling the kettle black there isn't it?! Taking a swipe at Forest fans and then telling nobody else to have banter?!
Where are all of your contributions to the discussion today?”
by Nick, Derby
Thursday, March 18 2010, 2:54PM
“Sadly, I have once again been proved right. The small minded forest fans, that think glory 30 years ago makes them a big club are on here making pathetic comments, and the Derby fans are biting.
If forest fans are so proud of their club, why do they spend so much time on our news comments?
Grow up the bunch of you, its just typical of the attitude of moronic football fans - I read these comments to find out what fans think, not to see stupid comments from Idiots. Rivalry is one thing, but come on guys, you lot, and your comments are pathetic.”
by GAZ, Derby
Thursday, March 18 2010, 2:50PM
“MB, refer back to this point for your answer:-
MB, you generally make fair points and in a reasoned way, but just get abuse from my fellow Forest fans (sorry about that btw).
Even he is ashamed of his fellow Forest fans ability to talk sensibly!”