Catch all the latest Derby County injury news and updates following the huge win over Port Vale at Pride Park.
Derby County returned to winning ways as they put three goals beyond Port Vale at Pride Park in their hunt for promotion. The Rams, following back-to-back defeats, charged into the lead through Louie Sibley‘s deflected strike.
Dwight Gayle opened his Derby account with a clever header to double the lead before the break. All three points were sealed in the second half as Sibley’s back post effort ensured that the second in League One stayed in their hands.
There was one return from injury for the Rams, while Paul Warne appears hopeful that a few others are getting closer to action. With that said, here’s a look at the latest Derby County injury news ahead of another big week.
Derby County injury list
Derby have been dealing with a number of injury issues in recent weeks, but will be hopeful of reducing those absences soon. Conor Hourihane was back with the squad to face Port Vale, coming as a huge boost.
In terms of those out, there’s James Collins, Conor Washington, Craig Forsyth, Josh Vickers, Callum Elder, Ryan Nyambe and Jake Rooney. The former three could be back in the coming weeks though, following an update from the manager, which will be a massive boost in their promotion hopes.
James Collins injury latest
James Collins picked up a knee injury in the clash with Exeter City, which has seen him out of action ever since. There were serious concerns over his availability, but it appears as though he could be back by the end of March.
Warne told BBC Radio Derby: “I’m hoping that he’ll [James Collins] hopefully be back by the end of March, which would take us into April in much better fettle.”
Expected return date: Blackpool (H) – March 29.
Conor Washington injury latest
There were concerns over Conor Washington‘s fitness over the past week, with Warne suggesting that the striker may be out until the end of the season. That may now appear to change as the manager has since claimed that three weeks is an ideal scenario.
“Wash earlier in the week weren’t looking good,” the manager told BBC Radio Derby. “Then Wednesday he trained, Thursday he trained, today [Friday] he was on the grass and he looks great. Monday he could be a wreck again, I don’t know.”
Expected return date: Blackpool (H) – March 29.
Craig Forsyth injury latest
Derby defender Craig Forsyth has been missing since December, due to an ankle injury he picked up against Fleetwood Town. The left-back is now nearing a return, expecting to be back in group training in the new week.
Expected return date: Bristol Rovers (A) – March 9.
Ryan Nyambe injury latest
Ryan Nyambe suffered an injury in the second half of the defeat to Charlton in late February. The right-back has picked up an issue that Warne claimed would leave him out for “weeks”, with an unknown exact date of return.
Expected return date: Unknown.
Callum Elder injury latest
Callum Elder has struggled with injuries since joining Derby as a free agent in the summer transfer window. The left-back was claimed to have picked up a minor knock that has kept him out of action for both Charlton and Port Vale matches.
Expected return date: Unknown.
Josh Vickers injury latest
Josh Vickers has struggled with a thigh injury for a few weeks, with Warne reluctant to risk the goalkeeper while they await for a return to action.
Expected return date: Unknown.
Jake Rooney injury latest
Promising young defender Jake Rooney was handed a devastating blow of a knee injury at the start of the season. It is likely to keep him out for the full campaign, but there is some hope that a return to training can follow in the coming weeks.
