Martyn Waghorn has issued an update after struggling with injury problems over the past couple of months.
The striker enjoyed a solid start to the League One campaign, making eight starts and scoring six goals.
However, Waghorn went onto suffer a hamstring injury in October that was expected to keep him out for a couple of weeks.
He didn’t return until November though, before going onto pick up a calf injury in this month’s EFL Trophy clash with Fleetwood Town.
After managing only three appearances in almost two months for Derby County, Waghorn has kept fans updated and has admitted that he is ‘missing’ being on the pitch.
Taking to his Instagram story yesterday, Waghorn posted a picture of himself at Pride Park, with the caption: “Missing it… hopefully back soon.”
Will Martyn Waghorn start for Derby County?
The 2023/24 season is Martyn Waghorn‘s first since rejoining Derby County in the summer.
The Rams were in desperate need of a goalscorer and opted to add the 33-year-old to their ranks, alongside the likes of James Collins, Tyreece John-Jules and Conor Washington.
Waghorn will have plenty of competition upon his return, though injury to Washington has certainly left Paul Warne light up top.
Collins looks to be steadying the ship with seven goals in 20 league games this term, though Waghorn’s start offered a much better return, and who knows where Derby would be in the league table if their veteran man was available.
There is no real indication of when Waghorn could return to the match-day squad, though it is looking like the Rams will have to sail through the busy festive period with only Collins and John-Jules as their only out-and-out strikers.
Waghorn’s Instagram post suggests he is nearing full fitness though, and fans will hope to see him back on the pitch in the new year. He will definitely be very important if Derby are to force their way back up to the Championship.
It will be interesting to see if Paul Warne manages to fit the pair in his team together, with Collins mostly seeming to lead the line, with Waghorn often taking his place on the bench.
Derby are enjoying some very good form recently though and the manager may want to avoid changing things up, though he will be relieved to have multiple options as we get into the nitty gritty in the final months of the campaign.