One Derby County star has been predicted to become a ‘valuable weapon’ in the final run-in.
Derby County returned to winning ways this weekend as they thrashed Port Vale 3-0 at Pride Park.
The Rams had lost back-to-back games to Barnsley and Charlton, but have managed to retain their place in the League One automatic promotion spots with a comfortable victory on home soil.
Yesterday’s clash welcomed the return of Joe Ward to the starting line-up, who bagged the two assists for Louie Sibley‘s brace – his first two goal contributions since joining the Rams in the summer.
Ward managed only three appearances for Derby before a freak injury left him sidelined for two months, before struggling to earn his place back in the starting line-up.
After missing the two defeats with a groin injury, the 28-year-old made his comeback against Port Vale and earned himself high praise.
With Ward returning with a bang, journalist Leigh Curtis has now tipped him to become a ‘valuable weapon’ to Paul Warne for the rest of the campaign.
Writing for Derbyshire Live, Curtis said: “If we cast our minds back to when he arrived last summer, Ward was one of the standout performers in pre-season and started the campaign well until he ripped the fat pad from his heel in the defeat to Oxford.
That freak injury halted his momentum and it’s been a battle for him ever since not helped by the penalties he conceded against Wycombe and Lincoln City. That taught us that while defensively he is not the greatest, going the other way is a different matter entirely, which he reinforced again at the weekend.
“He racked up two assists for Louie Sibley in what was a bright and inventive contribution and, if he can keep this up, he will certainly be a valuable weapon for the run-in.”
What can Joe Ward bring to Derby County now?
Joe Ward bagged seven goals and 10 assists for Peterborough United last season, including a goal in the playoff semi-finals against Sheffield Wednesday.
The winger was vital to Posh’s brilliant season and could be just as effective for Derby County if he can stay fit.
With various injury problems in attack, Ward’s ability to go forward and create chances could be really handy for Paul Warne and could add something to the play that they have so far been lacking.
Hopefully he can avoid the treatment room for now, because he could definitely earn himself a regular place in the starting line-up if he can continue adding to his goal contributions in the coming weeks.