“Great news” - John Eustace delivers Derby County injury update on key trio | OneFootball

Rams boss John Eustace has delivered positive injury updates on Matt Clarke, Kane Wilson and Nat Phillips.

Derby County boss John Eustace has delivered a positive injury update on Matt Clarke, Kane Wilson and Nat Phillips, with the trio all expected to be available by next week.

The Rams are in desperate need of points on the board to arrest the slide and retain their Championship status, with the side suffering defeat in both their opening games under the former Blackburn coach and yet to score a goal.

The East Midlands outfit travel to Teesside to face an inconsistent Middlesbrough side at the Riverside Stadium this weekend, but Eustace’s outfit will have to be wary after Michael Carrick’s men picked up a morale-boosting victory in midweek over Stoke City.

Derby are currently four points from safety with just 12 games remaining of the Championship season and need every senior figure fit and firing to tackle the last portion of the campaign, and Eustace has hinted he will be able to strengthen his squad with the return of some important players.

John Eustace offers Matt Clarke, Kane Wilson and Nat Phillips fitness boosts

As reported by the Derby Telegraph, Eustace provided optimistic updates on the trio’s fitness, with Clarke’s injury at Millwall not as bad as first feared, although he remains a doubt for the clash against former club Boro.

Meanwhile, Wilson is expected to make a return to training next week as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring injury, while Phillips has also trained in the last couple of days and will be assessed for the Teesside trip.

There are more long-term injuries for Derby to deal with too, as Corey Blackett-Taylor is still weeks away returning from a hamstring problem, while Dajaune Brown (hamstring), Curtis Nelson (knee) and David Ozoh (thigh) are unlikely to return again this season.

Eustace said: "Matt Clarke came off last week, and he will be touch and go for the weekend. His injury is not as bad as we initially thought.

"That's great news, and we will wait and see. Corey is still a few weeks away, but hopefully Kane Wilson will join back in with the group next week.

"Nat has been training in the last couple of days. Whether it is too early for him at the weekend, we will have to wait and see on that. It's great to have him back in the group."

Derby County trio return could be massive for Derby County survival bid

It can only be seen as a positive for Derby County that Clarke, Wilson and Phillips are all closing in on returns, with their backline set to be bolstered emphatically with such strength in depth.

Clarke and Phillips both possess invaluable Championship experience, while Wilson has been an ever-present figure in the first team this season and will offer an alternative attacking threat down the right flank to help create more chances for the forward line.

With such an improved backline, Derby have a much higher chance of keeping the ball out the back of the net on a frequent basis and giving themselves opportunities to win games, which is crucial in their quest to stay in the Championship.