11 players could miss Derby County v Millwall despite double boost

Derby County head to Millwall tomorrow as they look to secure only their second league win of the season.

After being held by Sheffield United last weekend, Derby head to the capital looking to build on what was an encouraging performance at Bramall Lane.

Derby do have plenty of injuries to contend with but the mist is beginning to clear somehwat with Max Johnston, Alex Mowatt and Jacob Widell Zetterstrom all returning last weekend.

Matt Clarke and Patrick Agyemang have also made further strides in their return from injury too. Here is the latest from the treatment table.

The reigning player of the season was pictured heading out into training this week and he has taken part in some minor exercises. He is inching closer to a return but is not quite ready to make the game at the weekend.

He is expected back next month with Eustace confirming he is on track to make his return. Eustace hailed Clarke as the best box defender in the league in the pre-match press conference yesterday.

There's no question that Clarke has been missed in the heart of the defence, having only played 45 minutes against Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup. He then had to come off with a calf problem which ruled him out for three months.

Patrick Agyemang

Like Clarke, the striker joined in for a minor part of training during which he did some unopposed finishing with sources describing how the American was looking extremely sharp. He is getting closer to his return and he is on track to return next month.

However, he is not expected to be back until after the next international break with Derby understandably cautious not to rush him back before he is ready. He has yet to return fully with the group in terms of full sessions but he is gradually getting there.

That is a major boost for Derby, given he has been badly missed having ruptured his Achilles in a win over Stoke City back in April. Agyemang has been a key performer for Derby and he scored 10 goals in his debut Championship season following his move from Charlotte FC last summer.

The captain did not look comfortable when he came off in the 1-0 defeat to Stoke City, having rolled his ankle when committing to a tackle, which led to a free-kick and the Potters' only goal.

Eustace issued an update and said he would be without his skipper until after the next international break.

"Trav's going to be out until after the next international break," he said.

"That's obviously a big blow to us over the next four games. It's a different injury from the one that kept him out before. He went in for a tackle, and he's just gone over on his ankle, unfortunately."

The central defender suffered an injury against QPR and had to come off after just 10 minutes.

He was subsequently sent for scans and later underwent an operation on his groin, which was a huge blow to Derby.

The Norway international is out for three months and will not be back until January.

"It is a serious injury," said Eustace. "He's going to be, unfortunately, out for roughly 12 or 13 weeks. It's a big blow for us, of course, but it's where we are at the moment.

"When we're in trouble, this is where the Derby County family has got to stick together and not look for any excuses. Understand that we're in a difficult spot, but that we'll come through it."

The left-back has added to Derby's list of problems after coming off with a hamstring problem in the draw at Burnley before the international break. The injury did not look good at the time, but Eustace said that he will only be missing for a matter of weeks rather than months.

"It's a bit of a bad one on his hamstring," he said.

"Obviously, we brought Charlie to the club as that experienced left-back and probably weren't expecting to play as many games as he has done in a short period of time. Unfortunately, it's just caught up with him."

The on-loan Brighton defender picked up a calf problem and has been ruled out for eight weeks, but that was before the international break.

He is expected to be back next month.

The former Utrecht left-back will not be available again until Christmas after suffering a serious hamstring injury that he picked up in a warm-up of an under-21s game.

He had initially been on the verge of a return from a back problem when he suffered the latest setback. He required surgery and was subsequently left off the EFL squad list. He hopes to be back on it in the New Year.

The long-serving defender suffered a knee injury in a 2-0 win at Portsmouth, although he is expected to make a return this side of Christmas. He had been in a protective boot but had to undergo surgery.

Whether he will be ready in time for the Christmas period remains to be seen, but he was included on the Derby squad list with the EFL, which suggests he will be back before the turn of the year.

A summer signing from Ligue 2 outfit Rodez, Arconte is currently sidelined because of ankle injury.

The striker, who scored against Derby last season, looks to be out with a muscular problem.

Casper De Norre

The defensive midfielder has missed the past eight Championship games due to an injury and is a doubt.

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