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Derby County face Bristol City under the lights at Pride Park on Friday evening, after losing both of their opening games of the season.
The Rams currently occupy the relegation zone in the Championship, but they are ahead of both Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United on goal difference.
Nevertheless, John Eustace will be looking to get one over the Robins after he was not given the vacancy there back in October 2023 – just months before he took charge of Blackburn Rovers.
Derby ran out 3-0 winners in this fixture last season, but they are struggling with injuries at this moment in time. However, there is a very positive update involving three key players at Pride Park.
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Derby County may have three key players back in action soon
Since arriving in the East Midlands in July, there have been a lot of eyes on Patrick Agyemang. However, the £5.8m striker had a hernia problem when he signed, meaning that Carlton Morris has taken responsibility up front.
But, he is set to join in training next week, alongside January signing Lars-Jorgen Salvesen, who has been missing since March with a knee injury, as per Dominic Dietrich.
Meanwhile, Kane Wilson has been back with the squad since Monday and while progress is steady, he is working his way back to full fitness.
The right-back had knee surgery over the summer to help with an issue that he was nursing throughout the latter stages of last season, and he will be willing to get back into the starting XI soon.
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How John Eustace feels about these returns for the Rams
There is no denying that in the first few weeks of the season, Derby have been lacking in many areas, especially in defence and the return of Wilson is one that everyone connected with the club is excited about.
That includes his boss, Eustace, who said about his return to training (via: BBC Radio Derby): “Brilliant, Kane’s a top performer, a top character. The lads love him to bits, the fans love him. So to have him back in the group is brilliant.
“I think that was his first training session since the end of last season, so that’s a massive plus for us and we’re delighted he’s back with the group.”
Ensuring that Morris does have cover up front is also vital, and the Derby head coach explained more on the timeline of Salvesen and Agyemang: “I think Lars could be quite close to being back, hopefully Patrick as well. So, I think both of those players will be back in the next week or so. That’ll be a massive plus to have both of those boys back involved.”
David Ozoh believes the Rams will be strong once those injured players are back, and with eight members of the squad currently out of action, it could be a slow burner for the East Midlands outfit.