Paul Warne has revealed both Joe Ward and Corey Blackett-Taylor picked up injuries that prevented them from being included in Derby County's defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.

The duo were not among the subs for the New Year's Day clash at Hillsborough which ended with the Owls recording a 4-2 victory. Ward was actually due to play a part in yesterday's game but felt his knee in training the day before the game. That was on top of Blackett-Taylor feeling his groin on Monday, which also deprived Derby of his availability.

Asked why they were both missing, Derby head coach Warne said: "I intended to play different full-backs. Kane Wilson was absolutely gassed out again today. Joe Ward felt his knee and it would have been a good game for him to play in.

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"Callum Elder has been our top physical performer and that's why he didn't start. There is nothing wrong with him but he is absolutely dead.

"I don't want to risk injuries with any of my players if I can help it. Corey Blackett-Taylor tweaked his groin on Monday and Joe Ward felt his knee in training yesterday. They were enforced changes. The game came too soon for Ben Osborn unfortunately."

Osborn might be okay to face Bristol City at the weekend, but David Ozoh, Ryan Nyambe and Eiran Cashin are set to miss the trip to the Robins. However, Ozoh is expected back in January while Nyambe, who has been recovering from a knee injury, should be back at the end of the month.

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