Eiran Cashin’s absence from the Derby County squad to face Sunderland in the Championship is due to his physical condition, DerbyshireLive understands.

The defender made his return from injury, following almost a month on the sidelines, against Watford last Saturday, playing the full 90 minutes of the 2-0 Championship defeat at Pride Park. And the club deemed he is not yet ready to play in back-to-back matches just a few days apart.

DerbyshireLive understands his omission is unrelated to the January transfer window being open amid a new transfer bid for the player from Premier League Brighton, with the Rams unwilling to sell him this month. Cashin is expected to be available to play against Cardiff City on Saturday.

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Meanwhile, owner David Clowes has sanctioned a deal for a new centre-back in the wake of an injury to Curtis Nelson, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.