Derby County captain Richard Keogh out for season after crash

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Richard KeoghImage source, PA Media
Image caption,

Richard Keogh signed for Derby in July 2012 and has made 316 league appearances for the club

Derby County captain Richard Keogh has been ruled out until the end of the season due to a knee injury sustained on the night of a crash that led to the arrest of two of his team-mates.

Tom Lawrence and Mason Bennett have been charged with drink-driving following the accident in the city's Allestree area on Tuesday night.

The crash involved a Range Rover Sport and a Mercedes GLC, police said.

Derby County said the crash followed a team-building dinner.

"A small group, including the team captain Richard Keogh, continued drinking into the night," the statement said.

"They should have known when to stop and also ignored the opportunity to be driven home using cars laid on by the club, and chose to stay out."

The club added that those involved "know they will pay a heavy price for their actions" but also said they would be supported with their "rehabilitation back into the squad and team".

Image source, Derbyshire Police
Image caption,

The club said the players would be subject to an internal inquiry

Mr Bennett, 23, of Whaley Thorns near Mansfield, and Mr Lawrence, of Duffield, are due to appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court on 15 October.

Derbyshire Police said neither man was seriously injured, although 25-year-old Wales international Mr Lawrence was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Richard Keogh, 33, signed for Derby in July 2012 and has made 316 league appearances for the club, as well as 26 senior appearances for the Republic of Ireland.

Tom Lawrence signed from Leicester City for £5m in August 2017, while Mason Bennett came through Derby's youth system.

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