Advertisement

Bite-ban striker scores five and returns with Derby County comment

Preston and Blackburn players clash
-Credit: (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)


Milutin Osmajic is looking forward to getting his teeth into Derby County’s defence after serving an eight-game suspension for biting.

The Preston North End striker will be available for the first time since the start of October when the Rams visit Deepdale on Saturday, November 23, with Paul Heckingbottom’s men on a wretched run of form.

They currently sit just two places above the drop zone, level on points with 22nd placed Cardiff, having won only one of the eight games Osmajic missed. The 25-year-old served a lengthy ban after biting Blackburn Rovers defender Owen Beck in September’s Lancashire derby.

READ MORE: Derby County hand new contract to Paul Warne favourite

READ MORE: Derby County set points total as Paul Warne looks to prove point

He is getting back up to speed now and scored five in the midweek Central League Cup clash with Wigan. He told the Lancashire Telegraph: “That was my last friendly game. Five goals... I played against young lads, but five goals, I am ready for the season.

“I'm very happy, because I am back and I can play in the Championship. The first game when I am back, against Derby, I want to score a goal - because we are playing at Deepdale."

The Montenegro international missed games against Burnley, Coventry, Norwich, Plymouth, Arsenal, Bristol City, Sunderland and Portsmouth, while Preston’s academy’s Professional Development Coach John Welsh praised the striker: “He's been really good. His attitude when he has been with us has been spot on.

“It's great for our young players to see. Some of the attacking play was brilliant. When you get players like Milly and Layton with us, it's great for our lads - and we wanted to get them on the ball as much as possible."

Derby go to Deepdale having won their last away game, a 2-1 victory at Coventry City which proved to be Mark Robins’ final match in charge.

What side should Paul Warne pick? Have your say here