Derby defender Cashin out until new year

Eiran Cashin came through Derby's academy

Derby County defender Eiran Cashin has been ruled out out until the new year with a hamstring injury, but Rams boss Paul Warne fears his centre-back could be out for even longer.

The 23-year-old was forced off after scoring in last week's 4-0 win against Portsmouth.

He had struggled with a similar injury during the week, with Warne expressing concern about Cashin's fitness after their goalless draw with Burnley.

The Rams boss could not give a definite timeframe for Cashin's recovery as the severity of the injury is yet to be determined.

"He will be constantly monitored, we don't know how long," he told BBC Radio Derby. "We won't see him until the new year, that is definitely the case."

Cashin's injury comes at ahead of a busy festive period, with the Rams playing four matches in 12 days up until 1 January.

The fixtures start with Friday's trip to Luton Town, and includes home games against West Brom and Leeds United before they travel to Sheffield Wednesday.

Cashin has been instrumental for Derby in recent seasons, first establishing himself in the backline under former boss Wayne Rooney in the second half of the 2021-22 season when they dropped out of the Championship while in administration.

He went on to win the club's young player of the season award in their first campaign in League One, and started 43 of their 46 matches as they won promotion back to the second tier last season.

The defender has featured 20 times for the Rams this season, and his goal against Pompey last week was his first for 10 months.

"It's a blow and it's a blow for the kid as well because he was in a really good vein of form," Warne added.

"He's been a big part of the success we've had. It's disappointing but hopefully the lads perform admirably without him on Friday.

"No-one wants to lose their players, their consistent performers, but then I can't cry about it because in fairness to him and Curtis Nelson they have virtually played every minute for a season and half."

Meanwhile, Warne has said Derby will expect to have defender Ryan Nyambe sooner than expected.

The Namibia international was ruled out for up to six months with a knee injury in October, but could return in late January.