Derby County could welcome one long-term absentee back from injury tomorrow night.
Derby County have struggled with long-term injuries this season, with Jake Rooney, Conor Washington and Martyn Waghorn all sidelined since before Christmas.
Craig Forsyth and Joe Ward are also still on the road to recovery, while Tyreece John-Jules and James Collins face significant spells on the sidelines too.
The Rams have been forced to move things around in attack to make up for their long list of absences in attack, with Collins’ recent knee ligament problem proving to be the last straw.
Paul Warne‘s side were forced to delve into the free agent market and bring Dwight Gayle to the club, where he made a cameo appearance in the defeat to Barnsley.
While the veteran is likely to take Collins’ place while he is unavailable, Derby could also be handed another boost in the impending return of Martyn Waghorn.
The 34-year-old rejoined the Rams in the summer and enjoyed a stellar start to the campaign, netting six goals in his first 12 games.
However, he went onto pick up a hamstring injury and then a calf injury that has limited him to only nine minutes of action since October.
Warne has now provided fans with promising news though, admitting that Waghorn could make his comeback against Charlton tomorrow evening.
When asked if Waghorn is ready to start the game (as per Derbyshire Live), the manager said:
“He is, if you ask him. How I sort of see it is that he’s done a lot of rehab and he could get kicked in the first minute and get injured, or he could play every minute at the end of the season and not get injured.
“It’s a really difficult one again that you don’t want to bubble wrap him. But if this was pre-season now, given the amount of training he’s done and if it was a friendly against Mickleover, would I worry about staring him? No, I wouldn’t because he has to play games.
“He could break down at any time, but so could anyone. He is in contention to start, but is he match fit as in 100 per cent on the money? No.
“But no one is unless they’re starting every week. And that’s possibly why you’re seeing a better side of Sonny Bradley’s performances because he’s played a few now, where all of a sudden the rust is off a bit. So Waggy is definitely up for selection, as is Dwight Gayle as is Corey Blackett-Taylor, Tom Barkhuizen, and Louie Sibley – we have some good options.”
Will Martyn Waghorn start for Derby County?
Given the importance of James Collins this season, the return of Martyn Waghorn is a huge boost for Derby County.
The forward may be approaching his 35th birthday, but his first 12 games back at Pride Park has proven he definitely still has it.
Waghorn picked up a goal for every two games at the start of the campaign, and if he could keep that up upon his return then the Rams could be in a very strong position.
The arrival of Dwight Gayle will only help him too, as it means the pair both have healthy competition and also won’t be forced to play every single match. With the duo both in their 30s, taking turns in the squad would only benefit them as we enter the vital stages of the season.