Derby County defender Jake Rooney has sustained another knee injury and will be off for four months.
The 20-year-old was injured during the Rams’ preseason camp in Spain last week, having only recently returned to full fitness following an anterior cruciate ligament injury in September.
Rams manager Paul Warne says it is unclear whether Rooney will require surgery on his latest ailment.
“He will be missing for an extended period of time, which is not ideal for him,” Warne told BBC Radio Derby.
“I feel for the kid.”
Rooney recently stated that he was “relieved” to be back fit after missing practically the whole 2023-24 League One promotion-winning campaign.
The former Burnley young player, who is the cousin of former Derby manager and ex-Manchester United and England striker Wayne, started only three league games last season before being sidelined by injury.
Warne, who spoke to BBC Radio Derby and the Derby Telegraph following Wednesday’s 4-0 pre-season friendly defeat by League Two side Chesterfield, said Rooney was permitted to go home early from the pre-season training due to an injury.
“We didn’t have to send him home, but we sent him back to be with his family,” Warne explained.
“It is always difficult because you have to give him a week to grieve. I understand that sounds dreadful, but you must allow him to be unhappy and disappointed.
“Hopefully, he’ll recover and his injury worries will be over. Back-to-back injuries cause psychological trauma rather than physical injury. That’s the most difficult thing to help him with.”