Eustace on Owen injury blow and short-term pain

Two games down and Derby County have been beaten in stoppage time, minutes away from a result, and ground down a strong West Bromwich Albion side to win on penalties in the first round of the league cup.

Head coach John Eustace took to the press conference today with confidence in the message he wants to get across but it's becoming clear in the early moments of this season that there may have to be some 'short-term pain' to get through to the 'long-term gain' this campaign.

Of course he was asked for his response to Blackburn Rovers boss Valerian Ismael's comments on midfielder Lewis Travis, who has been subject of two failed bids from the Rams.

Ismael revealed Travis wanted to leave the club but, as you'd expect, Eustace wasn't getting drawn into any comment on a player under contract at another club.

There was good news, and there was bad news.

Eustace hopes summer signing Rhian Brewster will be fit in a week or but Liverpool loanee full-back Owen Beck has suffered a setback in his recover from a muscle injury so will be out of action until after the September international break.

The Rams face Coventry City this weekend, a club that steadily built their championship status over a number of years.

As Eustace talks about the new two to three years at Pride Park, you can't help but draw parallels with the Sky Blues and their journey, and the expectation to go that next step now and gain promotion.

Listen to the full pre-match interview with Eustace and more on BBC Sounds.