Derby County: Rams' plans hit by injury pile-up
INJURIES are starting to pile up for Derby County with the new Championship campaign less than three weeks away.
Forwards Rob Hulse, Kris Commons, Chris Porter and Steve Davies missed Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Chesterfield in the Derbyshire FA Centenary Cup clash at Saltergate.
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Defender Dean Leacock was also absent and Derby lost midfielder Paul Green early in the game.
But manager Nigel Clough hopes the injuries are short-term, unlike those that hindered the Rams so badly last season.
Hulse (groin) and Commons (hamstring) have not featured in the three pre-season matches so far.
"Rob's groin is aggravating him a little bit at the moment. He will go on the trip to Devon this week but may be not play initially. We will see how he is," said Clough.
Commons has already been ruled out of the three-match tour of the South West.
Porter suffered a knock in training late last week and was kept out of the Chesterfield game as a precaution.
"Chris will be OK," added Clough, "and Steve Davies we hope will be involved at Belper tonight."
Derby will also check on Green's jarred ankle after the midfielder limped off at Chesterfield after giving the Rams the lead.
"Injuries are starting to pile up," said Clough.
"We hope they are short-term ones, we don't want anybody ruled out for two or three months at this stage. We hope it is days and weeks, rather than that."
Clough admits the injuries are hampering preparations for the new season.
"It is difficult because injuries are dictating matters at the moment, especially in forward positions," he said when asked at what point in pre-season does he start to formulate his starting 11.
He added: "We can't formulate too much until we get a clean bill of health,"
Arsenal have given permission for 19-year-old midfielder Mark Randall to link up with Derby in Devon.
Randall is seen as a possible long-term loan signing and is due to feature in two of the three games against Yeovil, Torquay United and Exeter City.
A young Derby team with a few senior players will face UniBond League side Belper Town at Christchurch Meadow tonight (7.45pm).
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by Ian Hall, London
Monday, July 20 2009, 2:56PM
“Apparently Derby are trying to sign ex-Forest flop Sammy Clingan, who toom Norwich down but wants to leave. Coventry have also been sniffing but were put off by his agent.”
by w 8 forest, Derby
Monday, July 20 2009, 2:54PM
“why do forest fans keep posting things on this site.your just a bunch of sad w*****s”
by they are hyper and they aint, got a point yet
Monday, July 20 2009, 2:43PM
“How do these Florists keep thinking up these new names to post must spend all there time on it Why dont they just put Chad”
by John the Ram, Derby
Monday, July 20 2009, 2:41PM
“Will everybody stop moaning times are tough at the moment with injuries but Nigel is the man to take the club forward,My mate has just told me that he has just seen Lee Hughes at the ground i hope he is right this would be a good signing.”
by just another thick, tree
Monday, July 20 2009, 2:40PM
“James Derby take of those red and sh.e glasess you fool nobody We had Blackstock sent him back he was useless”