Derby County loanee Elliot Embleton has suffered a quad injury, and will be out for the next few months.
According to BBC Sport Derby presenter Dominic Dietrich, Embleton’s quad injury is ‘severe’ and has seen him return to parent club Sunderland.
Derby are also said to still be paying their wage contribution towards his loan until January.
Embleton joined Derby on deadline day, making a loan switch that was meant to be for the whole season. However, whether he stays for as long as intended is now in huge doubt.
The 24-year-old had spent the majority of last season out injured after picking up an ankle injury in a game against Hull City, so this will be a huge blow for him. Luckily though, it’s not a reoccurring injury for him.
Paul Warne disappointed with Elliot Embleton injury
Derby manager Paul Warne was asked about Embleton following the win at Carlisle on Saturday, after he was not in the squad.
Warne told the Derby Telegraph on Saturday: “It is disappointing,” Warne told the Derby Telegraph. “We’ve built Elliot up really slowly, he’s done his rehab and we’ve built his minutes up. He played on Tuesday night, had a recovery day Wednesday, had a light session Thursday, and a light session Friday.
“He took a set-piece, the fourth corner he had taken, and felt something in his quad so it’s hugely disappointing. In my career, I’ve never seen anybody pull anything taking a corner and it was right at the end of the session.
“You feel for Elliot first and foremost. He’s worked really hard to get himself into a position to play and then that happens. He was heartbroken. He will have a scan on Monday and see where we go from there.”
Elliot Embleton’s injury could tempt Derby into free agent market
For Warne, Embleton’s injury will come as a massive blow. Derby are now a third midfielder down with Conor Hourihane and Liam Thompson also injured, leaving the Rams light in the middle of park.
This fresh injury to Elliot Embleton may leave Warne with no choice but to once again dip into the free agent market, after already signing right back Ryan Nyambe last week.
Nyambe was brought in as cover for right back, with both senior players Kane Wilson and Joe Ward both out with long-term injuries.