Paul Warne has provided an injury update on Derby County defender Eiran Cashin.
Eiran Cashin has played the full 90 minutes in every league game bar three – with one of those coming in yesterday’s draw against Shrewsbury Town.
The 22-year-old was absent from the match-day squad for the first time since October and was replaced by Ryan Nyambe.
Cashin has been vital to Derby’s success this term and had only recently put pen to paper on a new contract amid heavy interest from the Premier League.
READ MORE: Derby County star Eiran Cashin’s journey from almost released to Premier League transfer interest
Fans were left concerned when his name vanished from the team-sheet, but Paul Warne has now reassured them that his absence was only precautionary.
When asked about his fitness, Warne told the official club website: “Eiran Cashin was sore in his hamstring after the Charlton game last weekend, so I took advice from the medical team and we decided to leave him for this game. He should be fine for Exeter.”
Ryan Nyambe’s start was his first since returning from AFCON with Namibia, while it was only the second time he had played in central defence this season.
Cashin’s absence suggested Derby County’s lack of cover in that area, while it is already extremely difficult to fill his boots as it is.
Cashin has eleven clean sheets to his name this season, while he has also earned his name as one of the best defenders in League One.
As per WhoScored, the centre-back has made the third-most interceptions (52) and the third-most clearances (156), as well as winning the fourth-most headers (168) and the second-most accurate long balls completed from an outfield player (159).
His importance to the Derby County squad is even more staggering, winning the most tackles (61), interceptions, clearances, shots blocked (29), passes blocked (28) and headers.
Will Eiran Cashin stay at Derby County now?
Cashin’s new contract is a huge boost to the Rams, though it doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t leave.
The defender could have left in the summer for absolutely nothing after Brighton failed to land him last year, which would have been a major blow to the club’s finances.
It seems almost guaranteed that clubs will come back in for Cashin at the end of the season and while Derby could be forced to let him go, at least they will make a hefty fee doing so now.
The Republic of Ireland youth international’s future at Pride Park could still depend on whether they get promoted though, as it seems extremely likely that he would leave rather than spending another campaign in League One.