Ward return to action a boost ahead of Forest clash
JAMIE Ward has handed Derby County a boost as they prepare to face Nottingham Forest in the East Midlands' showdown.
The striker has been troubled by a hamstring problem but he came through Saturday's game at Brighton after replacing Will Hughes shortly before half-time.
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Jamie Ward
A torn hamstring sidelined Ward for three months and his comeback against Charlton Athletic at the end of December was cut short due to a tight hamstring.
He is now in the frame to start when Forest visit Pride Park Stadium at the weekend, provided he suffers no reaction.
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Nigel Clough was delighted to see Ward back on the pitch.
"It was great to see Jamie back out there," said the manager after the 2-1 defeat at the Amex Stadium.
"We were a bit reluctant to bring him on just before half-time. We were two down and we didn't want to take any undue chances.
"But you also want to try to get something from the game and he got us going a bit in the second half.
"He is closer to starting now.
"Hopefully, he will have a good week's training and be ready for Saturday. He'll be available to start, we hope, and we'll consider it."
Ward is unlikely to figure in today's Professional Development League Under-21 game against Coventry City at Nuneaton Town today (1pm).
He had been due to play a part but that was before he appeared against Brighton.
"We'll just let him get a good week's training," said Clough.
Ward's last start was in the 1-0 victory over Forest at the City Ground on September 30, the day he suffered his hamstring injury.
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