Double Derby County blow could give rarely seen Rams star a serious chance to shine | OneFootball

Kane Wilson was forced off against the Black Cats with a hamstring injury, and with Ryan Nyambe still no 100% fit, Joe Ward may be given game time.

Injuries have become a huge problem for Derby County, and their defensive unit has been ripped apart in recent weeks.

The Rams were beaten 1-0 by Sunderland on Tuesday evening with a makeshift defence that saw them play without a single natural centre-back, as Callum Elder, Craig Forsyth and Ebou Adams featured alongside each other in defence. Kayden Jackson operated at right wing-back while the natural right-sider Kane Wilson featured on the opposite flank.

Curtis Nelson was ruled out for the season earlier in the week with a knee ligament injury, and Eiran Cashin is currently unable to play back-to-back games as he comes back to full fitness following a hamstring issue. Meanwhile, Nat Phillips has been out of action since pulling up against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup third round.

Derby are in need of new faces to help in their survival bid, but two new injuries picked up against the Black Cats have only damaged them in their fight, with Dajaune Brown and Wilson now looking as though they will be out for an extended period of time - something that may give one of Paul Warne's outcasts a new opportunity.

Joe Ward may have a role in the team once again

Joe Ward has found it incredibly difficult to break into the starting XI this season, and his minutes have been severely limited.

He ended 2023/24 excellently, scoring twice against Portsmouth in a 2-2 draw at Fratton Park just a couple of weeks before the Rams won promotion alongside Pompey, but he required knee surgery soon after, and he has not been able to recapture the same form since.

Ryan Nyambe and Wilson have shared responsibility at right-back and right wing-back since, but with the latter now injured, and Nyambe still coming back to full fitness, Ward is the only player with experience of playing in that position.

It looked as though the 29-year-old was going to be on his way out of Pride Park, with interest from League One clubs, but his career at Derby may just be offered a reprieve with his services now required once again.

Although he is not the strongest defensively, he will be able to fill the void until either one of Nyambe or Wilson returns to action, and he may just be able to earn himself the trust of his manager once again.

Derby's new striker may benefit from Ward staying

Despite his defensive difficulties at times, his ability to find a teammate in the box with a cross is second to none, and that will suit new signing Lars-Jorgen Salvesen to the core.

He was brought on for his debut against Sunderland on Tuesday and proved to be a threat in the box, but he was not able to direct either of his two headed efforts into the back of the net.

However, with Ward potentially making his way back into the side against Cardiff City on Saturday, he will have plenty more opportunities to grab his first goal for the club, and help push Derby away from the drop zone.

Ward is a very capable player but has not quite been given the chance to prove himself since making his way to Pride Park in the summer of 2023, and this latest development may give him one more opportunity to prove himself.