As Derby County prepare for another televised home game against Coventry City tonight at Pride Park Stadium, there is finally some good news on the injury front.
Stephen Pearson (groin) has already returned to the first team, Dean Leacock (mumps) and Rob Hulse (stomach bug) should also return, Jay McEveley (fractured cheekbone) is expected to be back courtesy of a protective face mask, and Paul Green (foot) is likely to be on the bench. By my reckoning, the injury list is now down to nine players and we should see those players return over the next couple of months.
News out of Pride Park this week revealed that things could’ve been a lot worse. Whilst undergoing a routine operation on his fractured cheekbone, Jay’s heart actually stopped for two minutes. Fortunately the medical team were able to get his heart going again and continue with the operation. It must have been a very worrying time for Jay, his pregnant girlfriend, and his family.
Amazingly, Jay was back in training the next day and, according to Robbie Savage, walking around like nothing had happened. It’s just over a fortnight since Jay’s freak injury and the Rams defender is hoping to be involved in the game against Coventry City. Jay’s now known as the Phantom of the Opera around Moor Farm because, if called upon, he will wear a protective face mask.
But Jay wasn’t the only Rams player with heart problems. Outstanding Rams Academy prospect Mark O’Brien has undergone surgery to repair the valves in his heart. The problem was spotted when the 16-year old central defender, who has already made his full debut for the senior team, underwent a routine medical scan, which is compulsory for all scholars. Hardly any details of Mark’s absence from action since the summer had been forthcoming, quite understandably with hindsight, and hopefully the announcement now means the operation was a success and Mark’s recovery is going well.
Again this must have been a very worrying time for Mark and his family but, fortunately, the problem was spotted and after a sensible rest period of at least four months, Mark should be able to resume a very promising career in football.
Both of these incidents help to remind us that football is only a game after all, and there are much more important things in life than football.
A look at the Coca-Cola Championship form table for the last six games reveals that Coventry City are bottom with just three points from a possible 18, and Derby County are one place above them with four points. Sheffield United (who are also plagued by a huge injury list), Reading and Doncaster Rovers also have four points but are above the Rams on goal difference.
So two teams who are struggling for form and results meet head on at Pride Park Stadium as the Rams take on the Sky Blues.
Last weekend, we visited Portman Road to play Ipswich Town, a team also struggling for form, a team who hadn’t won in the Championship all season. Well, Ipswich hadn’t won until they played Derby County. Almost inevitably, the Rams lost 0-1.
After the game, a very magnanimous Nigel Clough said he was delighted that his former teammate Roy Keane had finally secured his first victory of the season. I’m sure, like me, Nigel wasn’t delighted to have lost as the Rams dropped to just two places and two points above the relegation zone.
I’ll admit I’m starting to get slightly worried now, even though I firmly believe the Rams will start climbing towards mid-table mediocrity once our key players return to full fitness. After tonight’s game, another international break allows the walking wounded two more weeks recovery time.
A bad result against Coventry City tonight though will set-up an anxious wait until after the other Coca-Cola Championship games on Saturday to see whether we’ve dropped into the relegation zone or not. Hopefully, a good win will make that anxious wait unnecessary.
Last weekend Ipswich Town made home advantage work in their favour.
Tonight, Derby County need to make home advantage work for them.
Stuart Hughes
6th November 2009