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Derby County have been missing their injured players since the Championship kicked off earlier this month, but one absentee could be available this weekend.
Rams boss John Eustace will have a point to prove when his side welcome Bristol City to Pride Park this weekend, as he looks to push County out of the relegation zone following a tricky winless start to the new Championship campaign.
Derby have conceded nine goals in three fixtures and will want to get injured players back to full fitness as soon as possible. Eustace has already been handed a triple boost this week, with Patrick Agyemang, Lars-Jorgen Salvesen and Kane Wilson re-joining training following their respective issues. However, the clash against the Robins will come too soon for the trio.
Now, though, Derby’s manager has confirmed there is one Rams player who could be ready for Saturday, as he issued an update on the ‘top performer’ on Thursday.
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Rhian Brewster in race to be fit for Derby County debut
Rhian Brewster joined Derby on a free transfer from Sheffield United at the start of August as County beat Middlesbrough to his signature. Most Rams fans were excited by his arrival, with many hailing it as a ‘statement signing’, however he arrived at Pride Park lacking match fitness due to not having a pre-season.
Brewster – who was on Liverpool’s bench for their 2019 Champions League final win – Bobby Clark, Ben Osborn and Dajaune Brown all got significant minutes as the Rams B-Team lost 2-1 at Oxford United behind closed.
Now, Eustace has confirmed Brewster is in a race for fitness for the Bristol City clash.
He told BBC Radio Derby: “Rhian’s had four sessions with the group. He’s looking fitter, he played 45 minutes [for the B team] behind closed doors against Oxford.
“We’ll assess it on Friday, we’ll see how he’s feeling, we’ll see what the medical department say as well. It’s important we protect him and when he’s ready, he’ll be playing.
“Rhian is a top performer in the Championship. The club worked very hard over the summer to bring him in and it’s been a group effort to make sure he feels at home here at Derby. He’s going to get better throughout the season, for sure.”
Brewster has four seasons worth of experience in the second tier, including two play-offs campaigns with Swansea on loan and then Sheffield United last term. Previous injury issues kept him from managing more than 90 appearances in the Championship.
Former Sheffield United ace admits he has ‘a point to prove’ at Pride Park
25-year-old Brewster scored nine goals in 119 games for Sheffield United in five years following his £23.5 million move from Liverpool.
After recording his best return last term for the Blades with a tally of four, the ex-Swansea loanee will have a point to prove in the 2025/26 Championship – and he said this himself this week.
Speaking to BBC Sport Derby about his move to Pride Park after Derby’s B-Team game against Oxford, Brewster said: “There’s always a point to prove no matter who you are and especially for me. My aim is to play every game this season and also score some goals and get some assists.”
Derby’s new signing penned a contract to keep him at the club until the summer of 2027, but it’s likely he will want to get off the mark as quickly as he can.
Should Bristol City come too soon, Derby play Burnley on Tuesday night in the second round of the Carabao Cup, which could be a good chance for him to get some Rams minutes under his belt.