John Eustace has one tough decision to make if Lewis Travis joins Derby County, he’s done it in the past

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John Eustace has just under a month until he’s back in a dugout once again, as Derby County prepare for their first pre-season game of 2025/26.

A trip to local non-league side Matlock Town awaits the Rams, but they are yet to make a signing in the summer transfer window and supporters are poised and ready to welcome the first new face to Pride Park.

Reading look to have won the race for Paudie O’Connor, and while Derby will be disappointed to miss out on the centre-back, Eustace will want to be reunited with Nat Phillips after his excellent loan spell in 2024/25.

However, the defence is not the only area of the pitch that the Rams are looking to recruit for, as Derby look to sign Lewis Travis. But there is one issue that the head coach will have to deal with if the Blackburn Rovers midfielder joins.

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John Eustace may have to decide who Derby County’s captain will be if Lewis Travis joins

Wrexham joined the Rams in the race for Travis, but the Red Dragons look to have pulled out of the battle and the 27-year-old has a huge decision to make as to whether he reunites with his former manager or not.

If he does, then Eustace will be dealt a headache that he perhaps has not yet foreseen as the midfielder will be keen to be given the armband after captaining Blackburn.

Ebou Adams, who praised Eustace for keeping Derby in the Championship, was handed the captaincy in the early days of the ex-Birmingham City boss’ tenure and he is not afraid to make changes in that regard.

Before Nathaniel Mendez-Laing joined MK Dons this summer, he had been the Rams’ on-field leader. However, that was taken from him and given to Adams, proving that their head coach is not afraid to make that big decision.

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Rams supporters will want to see Ebou Adams continue as captain

Derby’s current captain is a huge fan favourite, and he has taken on the responsibility that comes with the role excellently.

Therefore, if the armband was taken off him and given to a new signing in Travis, then it may not go down very well with supporters.

Only the captain can speak to a referee once a decision has been made, and Travis has plenty of experience doing this, but Adams knows the club inside out now, and even if the Blackburn ace is signed, he will more than likely be behind his potential future teammate in the pecking order for that job.