Derby County star hands Paul Warne a clear selection headache with fresh suspension risk close

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Derby County boss Paul Warne will take some positives from his side’s recent trip to Oxford United in the Championship.

While the Rams were far from their best in the first half, where they trailed, they did end the match well with a show of quality in the second half.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing bagged his first goal of the Championship campaign as Derby kept knocking on the door to find a winner.

That killer blow never came, but it was another point on the road after a difficult start on their travels, and a third game unbeaten on another mini run of form.

There is one concern that will hit Warne though, which comes in the form of Eiran Cashin and his disciplinary record.

• READ MORE: Five things we learned from Derby County’s draw with Oxford including Nathaniel Mendez-Laing debate

Eiran Cashin’s yellow card record and suspension concerns

One downside to come from Derby’s draw with Oxford was yet another yellow card for defender Eiran Cashin.

The centre-back took out former teammate Louie Sibley with a challenge late in the game to stop the flow of attack for the U’s.

While it may have been ideal at the time, it could prove costly in the long run as the Republic of Ireland representative is just one more caution away from a one-game suspension.

It’s a suspension tightrope he will have to walk for some time as it only resets to ten yellow cards after the 19th game of the campaign.

It gives Cashin eight games to survive without picking up a booking, which is unlikely at the very least but could impact his overall performances if he withdraws slightly.

The Rams will be keen to have him available for back-to-back away trips to Stoke City and Coventry City, while a home clash with Plymouth Argyle before the end of the international break could be monumental.

Derby County yellow card and suspension record

So far, Cashin is the closest player to a suspension with four yellow cards, but there are a few others not too far behind him.

Callum Elder now has three yellow cards to his name this season, putting him just two bookings away from a potential ban.

Ebou Adams, Kenzo Goudmijn and Mendez-Laing have two yellow cards, which puts them three cautions away from a ban, which they could see out until the 19th game.

11 other players have just one booking – including the ever-present Curtis Nelson – which puts them at little risk of a ban.