Derby County

Image source, Rex Features

Derby County forward Dajaune Brown could miss the rest of the season as he needs hamstring surgery.

The 19-year-old academy graduate has made 15 Championship appearances for the Rams this season, although his only three starts, and his lone league goal came before Christmas.

He is one of several injury headaches for head coach Paul Warne ahead of Sheffield United's trip to Pride Park on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Warne told BBC Radio Derby: "Daj has to have an operation on his hamstring so he's going to be out for a long period.

"Corey Blackett-Taylor (hamstring) is out for a lengthy period - we won't see him for a long period."

Full-back Kane Wilson is also set to miss his second game with a hamstring strain sustained against Sunderland while Warne reported "Callum Elder has tweaked his groin so we won't be missing him too long - days or weeks, definitely not months."

New arrival Matt Clarke, who signed this week from Middlesbrough, is in contention to start in defence but while Nat Phillips (calf) has started running, he won't be back in full training until next week.

Derby County have slipped into the relegation zone and are seeking to avoid their longest losing run in nearly 17 years when they welcome promotion-chasing Sheffield United to Pride Park on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Blades could overhaul leaders Leeds with a win, while only a win would give the Rams a chance of escaping the bottom three this weekend.

• Derby County have lost three of their past four league games against Sheffield United (W1), though all three defeats came away from home at Bramall Lane.

• Sheffield United have lost each of their past two away league games against Derby County and will be looking to avoid losing three in succession for the first time since January 2004.

• Derby have lost each of their past six league games in succession, while the Rams last endured a longer losing streak between April and August 2008.

• Sheffield United have lost three of their past seven league games (W3 D1), more defeats than across their opening 22 matches this season combined (W15 D5 L2).

• The average age of Derby's starting XI in the Championship this season is 28 years and four days; the oldest of any team in the division. Sheffield United, meanwhile, have the third-youngest starting XI on average (24y 336d).

Image source, Rex Features

Derby County boss Paul Warne expects Eiran Cashin to face Sheffield United on Saturday - unless a transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion materialises incredibly quickly.

The Rams said the defender was 'categorically not for sale' earlier in the window, but after the seemingly waved farewell to fans after the defeat at Cardiff on Saturday, rumours have grown that the Republic of Ireland under-21 international has his heart set on a move to the Premier League side.

Speaking ahead of third-bottom Derby's home game with Sheffield United on Saturday (15:00 GMT) Warne told BBC Radio Derby: "It's at board level. That's out of my paygrade. Cash is training with us – until I get told anything different I don't know.

"As I speak to you (on Thursday morning) I expect him to be available (for Saturday) although I am mature enough to realise in football things can change all the time.

"As I've been told today, when preparing the team, Cash will be a part of it. That is all I know."

Warne insisted he was out of the loop in terms of the speculation but added: "I am led to believe an offer has been in for Cash - whether it's going to be accepted, not accepted, negotiated or not, that's a board-level thing, my concentration is just to prepare the team for the weekend.

"I have spoken to him about it. What me and him talk about is obviously private."

Warne also revealed he was "pretty close" to adding some new signings, but insisted they were not dependant on Cashin leaving Pride Park before Monday's transfer deadline (23:00 GMT).

"We've always had money to invest in the squad so I don't think we're waiting (to see) if Cash goes or doesn't go," Warne said.

"We need to reinforce this squad. We need more goals in the team. I feel like the signings we made in the summer have helped the group and we need to keep trying to make better signings to make the team even better."

Defender Matt Clarke returned to Derby County from Middlesbrough this week on a deal until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old made more than 80 appearances in all competitions for the Rams across two previous loan spells.

Clarke was a Brighton player when he was loaned to Derby over two seasons, from 2019 to 2021.

BBC Radio Derby's Ed Dawes is joined by Martyn Waghorn and Mark Drury to discuss Matt Clarke's Rams return.

You can listen to this and other episodes of Rams Daily on BBC Sounds.

We asked for your thoughts about Derby County's chances of Championship survival after they plunged into the drop zone at the weekend.

Unsurprisingly, many had things to say about head coach Paul Warne and whether he can guide them to salvation.

Here is selection of what Rams fans had to say...

Daniel: Derby are really painful to watch at the minute. The football is uninspiring, we're getting injuries left right and centre, and right now we are in real danger of relegation. It is clear that Paul Warne's record in the championship is dismal - three seasons for Rotherham, three relegations. In my opinion his style of football is not working, some of the substitutions are questionable, and for me a change is needed. I'll always have respect for him getting us promoted back to the Championship, but right now it is not working.

Jim: A continuation of the dire football offered over the last couple of seasons, made hard work of promotion last season and it is inevitable that we will be relegated under this leadership. I don't fall into the trap of romanticism that we are lucky to have a club. Move on, and quickly Derby.

Henrico: Voices call for the manager to go, why? He has done what he can with the players/funds available.

The players need to step up their game.

Carl: I think the jury is still out on Paul Warne. The bulk of the squad are still free transfers picked up in League One. The signings this year have generally improved us but we need more, particularly a creative midfielder who can score a few. Also need a quality winger who can be a consistent threat. It's possibly our weakest position currently.

Les: Messing about with putting players in wrong positions has contributed to the current situation. That coupled with recent injuries has compounded the situation. However the introduction of a new striker I think will give us a fighting chance.

Silly mistakes in defence and midfield are still a problem but hopefully now this latest signing will help to secure less mistakes. I think we will stay up and be clear of relegation by a couple of clear points of the bottom three.

Image source, Getty Images

Adrian: Yes, we have enough to stay up. This year was about building on the team and securing ourselves in the Championship. Clowes has saved the club, shown his faith in Warne and must give him to the end if the season to prove the doubters wrong. Plus, no point sacking Warne if we then have to compensate his team and not invest in the team. I would prefer to keep Cashin to the end of the season, similar to how we kept Bird back on loan for the rest of the season.

Harry: We will stay up if we can replicate the form showed in the first third of the season.

We have very good players like Ozoh and Nyambe now back from injury and today's recruitment of former player of the season Matt Clarke has been vital to bolster the defence after stalwart Curtis Nelson has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

A decision to sell defender Cashin at this critical time would be a bad one in my opinion given our predicament and that he is our best player. The money might be useful but it's too late to help in this window and it would be a shame for it to have to be used to try to climb out of League One should the worst happen.

Further, his sale would not help the morale of the other players, especially the (relatively) expensive ones who joined last summer to help us start to build a squad for the future. Plenty of time left on his contract if we have to sell this summer instead.

The key current weakness has always been in attack where match after match we fail to take our chances and subsequently pay the price. The window recruitment of Lars-Jorgen Salvesen will undoubtedly help here, as he showed by scoring on his full debut last weekend.

Plenty of games to go, lots of teams in the relegation mix so all to play for and hopefully one or more new additions to come in the window.

Former Derby County striker Malcolm Christie has said the Rams must change the way they play if they are to get out of relegation trouble.

Christie was speaking following the 2-1 defeat at Cardiff City on Saturday, his old club's sixth successive Championship defeat.

"Its something that I've said - I'm not just jumping on the bandwagon because we're not getting the results. It has felt a little bit predictable," Christie told BBC Radio Derby.

"I've said it for so long about this Rams team - they have to be so much better in possession with a slightly different style of play."

Having started every league game he has been available for this season, Jerry Yates - who has scored six league goals - was also called into question by Christie.

"Direct from crosses, Jerry Yates has scored one goal direct, and that was a deflected cross," the 45-year-old said.

"Why were we playing that way, being so one-dimensional, when you have Jerry Yates as your number nine?

"That is my big bugbear and that's why I wanted to see a different style of play and a different way that we approach games with the creativity that we have - playing through central areas rather than playing out wide because it hasn't worked.

"I saw some signs on Saturday that playing two up front with [Lars-Jorgen] Salvesen up there could be better."

Image source, Getty Images

Six consecutive Championship defeats have dropped injury-hit Derby County into the relegation places for the first time.

Not only that, but speculation that defender Eiran Cashin - one the Rams' most impressive performers in recent seasons - will be recruited by Premier League club Brighton are louder than ever.

It reads like doom and gloom for Paul Warne's Derby side who have been booed from the stands during their miserable run in recent weeks.

BBC Radio Derby commentator Ed Dawes has written of a "downward spiral that shows no sigs of abating".

But do you agree?

Derby midfielder Ben Osborn spoke defiantly after the defeat by Cardiff City on Saturday, saying the Rams have what it takes to avoid the drop.

Is he right? And if so why?

And if not, what will it take to keep the Rams in the division?

Let us know your thoughts here.

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby commentator

Image source, PA Media

Like winning, losing becomes a habit. Derby County have now lost six straight games in the Championship and the downward spiral shows no sign of abating.

For many looking on, the 'rinse and repeat' nature of the Rams results since Boxing Day is alarming.

The goals conceded at Cardiff City were again of Derby's own making.

Ball retention has been a real issue when put under pressure by the opposition. Panic sets in and the ball is released or a risky pass doesn't come off.

We have seen a lot of teams play Derby at this level and keep the ball. They are patient, they find a pass but don't take risks. Possession is recycled with short passes and movement until a chance is created.

Both goals in the second half at the Cardiff City Stadium came from losing possession, being committed up field and being outmanoeuvred in retreat.

Jacob Widell Zetterstrom needed to do better with the tame shot at his goal before it being put beyond him by Callum Robinson. Seconds later, they lost possession easily again and get hit on the break.

Derby are conceding the same goal every week and will continue to do so if they keep giving the ball away so cheaply, with everyone being caught out of position.

Losing their main defenders hasn't helped and not taking chances at the other end heaps pressure on everyone.

The main positive about the trip to Wales was a first goal for Lars Jorgen Salvesen, a brilliant header from a great ball by Jerry Yates, but the most noticeable part of it was the defence-splitting run by Ebou Adams straight down the middle of the field.

Derby don't normally score goals like that, so it was refreshing.

The return of Ryan Nyambe gave the Rams some experience at the back and David Ozoh being restored in midfield will hopefully give it more balance.

The disappointment on the players' faces after the final whistle was hard to ignore.

How long does a run go on, before losing becomes a habitual mental block?

You can listen to more from Ed Dawes on BBC Radio Derby's Rams Daily podcast.

Dominic Dietrich
Senior Sports Journalist, BBC Radio Derby

Image source, Rex Features

After defender Eiran Cashin seemingly waved goodbye to supporters on Saturday at Cardiff, Derby County are faced with a big decision in the transfer window.

The Rams have been firm in their stance not to sell their star man - with one source high up at the club previously saying he was "categorically" not up for sale in January - but Premier League Brighton have been persistent in their approach and it seems their efforts have turned the head of Cashin who aspires to join a top-flight club.

No valuation has been met, no deal has been agreed, so this is likely to go on - but puts the Rams in a stick-or-twist scenario. Take the money and further invest in the squad with a short time left of the transfer window, or play hardball and keep the defender.

Whatever happens in the coming days will be interesting, and could see Derby - if Brighton raise their bid - with money to spend on permanent deals that get them Championship safety.

You can listen to move from Dominic Dietrich on BBC Radio Derby's Rams Daily podcast.

Derby County manager Paul Warne believes his side paid the price for not scoring the first goal against Cardiff City as they fell to a 2-1 loss on Saturday.

Despite having more possession throughout the match, the Rams failed to hit the back of the net until Lars-Jorgen Salvesen's header in the 70th minute when they were already two goals down.

"I thought we looked handsome first half and I knew there'd be a reaction second half," Warne told BBC Radio Derby.

"You just have to get the first goal when you're on top. You can't come away from home, be on top for 45 minutes and not score."

Derby's loss in South Wales was their 16th of the season and has even more significance with Cardiff lingering just above them in what is a tight Championship relegation zone before kick off.

"Obviously the scoreline, losing, it's a trend that we need to stop," added Warne.

"I thought in the first half, we were the team in the ascendancy. I thought the chances that they potentially created we caused ourselves really."

Derby County visit Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon (15:00 GMT) where they attempt to avoid a six-match losing streak.

The Rams lost 1-0 to Sunderland on Tuesday and will be hoping to stop the rot against a Bluebirds side who are one point ahead of them in the Championship table.

Cardiff drew with Millwall on the road to put themselves above the East Midlands side but remain in danger of dropping into the relegation zone with two points separating them from Hull City and Luton Town.

• Cardiff have won each of their past three home league games against Derby, with those victories coming via a combined 7-1 scoreline.

• After winning the reverse fixture 1-0 in September, Derby will be looking to produce a first league double over Cardiff since the 1985-86 season.

• Cardiff have won one of their past seven home league games (W1 D2 L4), though that sole victory did come last time out in a 3-0 win over Swansea City.

• Since returning to the Championship this season, Derby have won one of their 14 away league games in total (W1 D4 L9). Only Plymouth Argyle have won fewer on the road (0) than the Rams.

• Derby have lost each of their past five away league games against sides from Wales since a 3-2 victory over Swansea in February 2020. The Rams have not lost more in succession since 1965 (nine defeats).

Derby County's hopes of signing Borussia Monchengladbach's Danish midfielder Oscar Fraulo, 21, this month have hit a snag. (Derby Telegraph, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip page.

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby

Image source, PA Media

When a siege mentality is automatically instigated, you often end up with a good performance.

Derby County were better against Sunderland than they were against Watford but sadly it was the same result.

The Rams are really suffering from a sudden batch of injuries to key players. The loss of Curtis Nelson is immense and unforeseen, while two probable hamstring strains to Kane Wilson and Dejaune Brown have come in the latest home defeat.

Wilson has been one of the standout improved players this season and his 25 appearances have all been what the head coach Paul Warne describes as a "gassed out" effort. Brown has played just 552 minutes of football and his injury cannot be down to wear and tear, just bad luck.

Rams owner David Clowes has signed off on what I understand is a considerable investment in a new centre-half to cover Curtis Nelson's injury, which is a desperate situation now as Derby ended Tuesday night's encounter with just two recognised defenders on the pitch.

Consistency is very difficult for Derby currently - the level of performance in the second half at Pride Park needs to come from the off, Paul Warne himself said, "You have to play for more than 70 minutes".

This transfer window is so important for Warne.

If he is given the tools to do the job, then he should succeed with keeping them in the Championship.

Additions to his squad will hopefully see that next level in performance, which will show the opposition they're not predictable and can be a force to be reckoned with.

Listen to more from Ed Dawes on BBC Radio Derby's Rams Daily podcast on BBC Sounds.

"It's another game where margins could have helped us but didn't," Derby County goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom tells the Rams Daily podcast after losing 1-0 to Sunderland at Pride Park.

BBC Radio Derby's Dominic Dietrich and Ed Dawes are joined by former Rams strikers Malcolm Christie and Martyn Waghorn as they reflect on a tight tussle between the relegation-threatened Derby and a team in the promotion fight.

Plus reaction from Rams boss Paul Warne and Zetterstrom after the defeat.

You can keep up to date with with Derby County news and views by listening to the Rams Daily podcast on BBC Sounds.

Luke Pingu
Fan writer and YouTuber

Image source, PA Media

Derby County are still without a point in 2025 after four games. But after Tuesday's game versus Sunderland, I hope fans can see Paul Warne is the right man for the job.

Derby showed great character and work-rate against the Black Cats and deserved at least a point. But it ended as a 1-0 defeat.

With Ebou Adams playing at centre-back in a back three and Kane Wilson playing on the left, Derby showed they could put in a good performance against one of the best teams in the league.

New signing Lars-Jorgen Salvesen made an immediate impact when he was subbed onto the pitch with two great headers on target after connecting with Corey Blackett-Taylor's crosses into the box.

I truly hope both these players are given the opportunity to start the next handful of games because even from 30 minutes on the pitch against Sunderland, you could clearly see they will create goals for Derby - one thing we have lacked so far this season.

Right now, Derby are only one point above the relegation zone and need a win soon to lift the club into safety. And I hope that comes in the next three or four games, or Derby will fall into the bottom three.

Every Derby fan going into the season knew safety was the primary target, and with the opportunity to strengthen with a week left of the window, I hope the Rams find the signings required to ensure their Championship status.

Get more content created by Luke Pingu from his YouTube channel here., external