Derby County return to action after the international break this weekend when they face Cardiff City at Pride Park.
Following a stunning 3-0 victory over Bristol City, head coach Paul Warne will be hoping his team can pick up where they left off and achieve their third consecutive league home win.
Cardiff are bottom of the table with only one point, and Derby will look to capitalise on their terrible start to the season. Derby have some injury concerns ahead of Erol Bulut’s arrival, and here’s the latest from the treatment table at Pride Park.
Ben Osborn
The former Sheffield United midfielder was sidelined with a calf injury and missed the triumph over City. Osborn may have been risked for the game against Liam Manning’s side, but head coach Paul Warne decided against it to give him time to heal fully.
He should be back in contention for a spot on the bench, since it is difficult to imagine Warne changing his midfield after such an outstanding performance.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing
The winger was substituted late against Bristol City, raising concerns that he had picked up a minor niggle, but Warne revealed that it was simply a case of the winger completely expending his energy levels.
“Nat is well, but he has X quantity of nitro. After that, it’s ‘come on, mate, you’ve won us the game, you’ve been a fantastic captain, but you’re exhausted; let’s recharge you’. “It was not an injury,” he explained.
Mendez-Laing will welcome the opportunity to face his former club, as he is one of four former Bluebirds on Derby’s roster.
Kane Wilson
The right-back has not played since being forced off in the 1-0 win over Middlesbrough due to a hamstring injury. He did not make the team to face Bristol City, although it is hoped that he will return sooner rather than later.
Warne is anticipated to provide an update on his progress during his pre-match press conference at Moor Farm on Thursday.
Jake Rooney
The centre-back has been out with a knee injury, but he is making good progress as he prepares to return. He just posted a picture to his social media account with the message ‘a few more weeks’. The Cardiff game will undoubtedly come too soon for him, but it is encouraging that the defender’s condition is not serious, especially after undergoing surgery on his cruciate ligament, which he hurt in a loss to Bolton last September.