Paul Warne could now turn to one ‘super’ Derby County attacker following Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s injury.
Derby County have endured injury after injury this season, with only one striker currently available to Paul Warne in Martyn Waghorn.
Dwight Gayle, Tyreece John-Jules, Conor Washington and James Collins are all currently sidelined and are making the Rams’ mission to achieve promotion that little bit harder, but Nathaniel Mendez-Laing‘s latest hamstring problem is a huge punch to the stomach.
It’s unclear how serious the winger’s injury is, but he could well be out for a significant chunk of the final six matches, and Warne is going to have to find his replacement before they allow themselves to slip down the table.
There are very few options that can actually come into take Mendez-Laing’s place at all, nevermind someone who could follow up from his 23 goal contributions this term.
Derby do have one player who could certainly have a good crack at it though, and they have already started three of the last five matches.
Tom Barkhuizen is currently the Rams’ third top scorer in all competitions (7) and has provided the third-most assists (6), despite only starting 21 matches.
The winger has, for the most part, had to work around Mendez-Laing, but has often been squeezed in out of position just to ensure his quality is included in the squad.
Barkhuizen’s ability has proven to be the difference in many games this season too – picking up two assists in a 3-1 win over Blackpool, a goal in the 1-1 draw to Wycombe, another assist against Wigan, plus a goal and an assist in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Burton Albion.
Can Tom Barkhuizen fill Mendez-Laing’s boots?
The ‘super’ 30-year-old may not be quite as effective as Mendez-Laing, but his 13 goal contributions certainly don’t lie and will be eager to prove himself in his teammate’s absence in what will be a hugely important stage of the campaign.
Barkhuizen will have a lot of work to do without Derby’s star strikers though, with Martyn Waghorn the likely suspect to keep his place as the number nine.
The 34-year-old has seven goals this season, but the defeat to Northampton was his first start since October, while he has only scored once in the last ten appearances.
The Rams’ injury list isn’t something the team can do much about though, and Paul Warne is just going to have to get the most out of players that maybe wouldn’t usually spearhead a brilliant run of form.