Derby County v Leeds United injury latest as trio ruled out amid double doubt
Derby County arguably face their toughest test of the season as they tackle table-topping Leeds United at Pride Park tomorrow night (5.45pm).
After a brilliant 2-1 win over West Brom on Boxing Day, Paul Warne's side will go into the game full of confidence as they attempt to conquer Daniel Farke's side in what is sure to be a crackling atmosphere.
Leeds were too good for Derby at Elland Road earlier in the month as they secured a 2-0 victory with both goals coming in the first half of the Championship clash.
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Derby will hope for a much-improved performance against a Leeds team who look a good bet to secure a return to the Premier League thanks to an embarrassment of riches in attack.
Derby do have some injury problems to contend with for the visit of Farke's men and here's the latest from the treatment table ahead of the game tomorrow night.
Ben Osborn
The midfielder was forced to miss the 2-1 triumph over West Brom on Boxing Day because he had tweaked his glute in the final part of Christmas Eve's training session.
Warne said he was hopeful rather than optimistic that he would be available for the visit of Leeds tomorrow.
Liam Thompson
The midfielder picked up a minor issue prior to the defeat at Luton and it was enough to keep him out of the win over the Baggies on Boxing Day.
Faces a race against time to prove his fitness for the game tomorrow.
Eiran Cashin
In what is a considerable blow to Derby, given how well he has been playing, Eiran Cashin looks set to miss the Christmas period of fixtures.
The defender had to be replaced in the second half of the crushing 4-0 win over Portsmouth with a hamstring problem.
"He is obviously out and he will be constantly monitored," said Warne. "We don't know how long but as soon as we have good news, I will tell you. He has definitely damaged his hamstring, but it is just in between two categories. We won't see him until the New Year, that's definitely the case."
David Ozoh
The on-loan Crystal Palace midfielder has been out of action since picking up an injury against Cardiff. Initially he had overcome the hamstring problem which saw him taken off in the second half, but in his final session before he was due to return, he damaged his quad muscle.
Ozoh is still not back in full training because he has an awareness of his injury. Paul Warne said after the defeat at Leeds that even if it's just 10 per cent, they cannot risk pushing him back quickly. Warne admitted it could be weeks or it could be sooner, depending on how Ozoh heals. No timescale has been put on his return.
Ryan Nyambe
Nyambe was ruled out for up to six months because of a knee injury he sustained against Millwall earlier in the season. The former Blackburn defender has damaged his posterior ligament. While he will not have to undergo an operation, he will be out of action until next year.
However, the Rams have received an unexpected boost after Warne said he could return at the end of January.
"It's disappointing (to lose Cashin), of course it is," said Warne. "Hopefully, the lads perform admirably without him on Friday (v Luton). It sounds awful, but you soon forget - that's how sport is.
"Ryan Nyambe is well ahead of schedule which is great news. He might be back in the fray at the end of January.
"But while he has been out and the team have been doing okay, not everyone has been crying about Ryan missing. You sort of forget, don't you?"
