--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-10-28T21:02:06.451Z last_updated: 2026-10-28T15:54:48+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/derby-county/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVyYnl0ZWxlZ3JhcGguY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZm9vdGJhbGwtbmV3cy9kZXJieS1jb3VudHkta2V2aW4tcGhpbGxpcHMtZXVzdGFjZS0xMTIxNzg1Ng --- # Eustace set for huge Derby County lift that 'can only help' transform season - **Source:** - **Published:** 28 Oct - **Club:** Derby County - **Original URL:** https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-county-kevin-phillips-eustace-11217856 Former Derby County coach Kevin Phillips says the return of key players from injury could transform their season. Derby have endured a miserable start to the campaign, which has yielded just one win, just five months after finishing outside the play-offs. A horrendous injury list has contributed significantly to Derby's dreadful start with the defence badly hit which, prior to Saturday's draw at Sheffield United, saw eight of the backline on the treatment table. Jacob Widell Zetterstrom and Max Johnston both returned at Bramall Lane and over the next month Derby are due to see further key players return with Matt Clarke, Eiran Cashin, Lewis Travis and Patrick Agyemang among them. Phillips, who was talking to bestbettingsites, feels that could be a key point in the season for Derby who are currently in the bottom three of the table. "Potentially, the injured players coming back could help turn things around," he said. "They had a good result, didn't they, in the last game out. I think John has been frustrated, of course, with where they are in the league, but with those players coming back, it can only strengthen them. "I think that might just give them that platform now to build on and go on a little run and get out of the situation they're in, which is what the manager wants. "So he's getting back some really good players, and experienced players as well. It can only help." Derby will hope their point at Sheffield United provides them with a foundation for another solid performance against Millwall this weekend. Head coach John Eustace will, however, have to make more changes to his back four with Dion Sanderson suspended after picking up a one-match ban for his second-half dismissal at the weekend. Jack Robinson, who signed on a free transfer, arrived earlier this month and made his first appearance as a substitute at the weekend, although he is still short of full match fitness. But he is a leading contender to slot into the heart of the back four and Robinson feels they will need to replicate the resilience that was on show against United last weekend. "It's another tough game," he said. "They will be putting in lots of crosses and we have lots of hard work to do. Obviously, we're going to miss Dion (Sanderson) as well with him getting sent off. "But the lads showed out there exactly what they're about, and if we can produce that again, then we can definitely get a result there." Make sure you never miss the latest Derby County news and opinion by making Derbyshire Live one of your Google preferred sources. Get the best Derby County news, analysis and more straight to your Inbox! To get it, it's a simple one-two punch.