John Eustace Excited As Defender Returns To But Four Still Sidelined For Long Time

Derby County will be without captain Nathaniel Mendez-Laing against Blackburn Rovers with Jeff Hendrick training with the club to help their injury crisis.

John Eustace has struggled to make an impact since swapping Ewood Park for Pride Park. They have lost every game and are yet to score a goal under his watch.

So it’s even more of an issue that they’re without Mendez-Laing for Rovers’ visit this weekend. Matty Clarke has returned to training whilst David Ozoh (thigh), Curtis Nelson (knee), Dajaune Brown (hamstring) and Corey Blackett-Taylor (hamstring) are all long-term absentees.

“Clarkey trained today and it’s great to have him back in the group,” Eustace said.

“There are a couple who have struggled this week but we will assess them and we will know more tomorrow.

“Kane Wilson was back last week, but he has had six weeks out with a hamstring problem. We’ve got to really monitor him.

“We’ve got three games coming up next week so it’s important we get it right with him. Mendez will still be out at the weekend, unfortunately.

“It’s a blow and we want as many players as back as possible, but he won’t be back at the weekend.”

Hendrick, a former team-mate at Derby with Eustace, is training with the club. He has been without a club since leaving Newcastle United last summer.

A short-term deal could be on the cards to add another body and experience to the Derby group. They have already signed Kemar Roofe with a similar view since Eustace arrived.

We’ve got Jeff training with us at the moment which I think’s a real plus for us,” he said.

“Obviously, Jeff knows the club inside out. He was here when I was playing as well, and I know the kind of character he is. I think he’ll help the dressing room from now to the end of the season.

“He’s looked great. He’s obviously a very fit, very athletic lad, and he looks no different now from when I was playing with him.

“He’s had a fantastic career, so I think his experience coming in to help the group will be key. We want to get him involved as much as we can and hopefully, this time next week, he will be part of the group.”