Both clubs will be without a host of key players under the MKM Stadium lights
John Eustace has won all three of his visits as manager to the MKM Stadium(Image: Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Derby County will be without a flurry of players for Tuesday night’s trip to take on play-off rivals Hull City at the MKM Stadium, as both sets of players look to bounce back from weekend defeats.
Jaydon Banel missed the loss at Watford through illness and is unlikely to return, while Danny Batth, Lars-Jorgen Salvesen and Liam Thompson are also out.
First-choice goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom is also out with a virus, meaning the Rams will arrive in East Yorkshire missing a flurry of players.
“I think Danny, Lars and Thommo are struggling a little bit. Lars and Thommo will be another couple of weeks,” John Eustace said on the eve of the trip to East Yorkshire.
“Danny, we’re not too sure about. He’s gone for a scan over the weekend and we are just waiting for the results. Jaydon has got quite a difficult condition with his chest. That’s a pain, especially for him. We are still waiting on Jaydon, and we are hoping he will be available for tomorrow.
“It’s been frustrating because we’ve seen some good glimpses of what he can bring to the team. We want him part of the group more consistently as quickly as we can.”
Like City, the Rams have had their fair share of injury troubles this season, with striker Carlton Morris making his return at Vicarage Road after three months out with an ankle injury, playing half an hour.
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“It has been a problem (the injuries), but it just shows you how well the group of players have done,” Eustace continued. “I probably sound like a broken record and say the same things, but if you take the first 10 games and you’re getting criticised and questioned all the time, if it’s justified, then I understand.
“But you have to be realistic on where we are and what players are available and that kind of stuff. We try to create a no-excuse culture, but the players who have fought and battled up to now throughout the season, playing out of position, playing through injuries, playing when not fit – what an amazing job they’ve done with 13 games to go.
“In an ideal world, we have our starting XI from the first day of pre-season and nobody gets injured. But that’s the Championship. It’s not. The way they’ve continued to get into the top half of the table up to now has been brilliant. I am ever so proud of the group. We let ourselves down on Saturday, and that wasn’t us, but the group took full responsibility for that.
“They understand what it has taken to get to this situation. That’s down to doing the basics very well. That’s always a fantastic foundation for me. If you do the basics well when you’ve had suspensions and injuries, whoever comes in knows their job and performs.
“The last 13 games are not going to be any different. There are going to be ups and downs. It’s important we stick together and come through it.”
Ten-goal striker Morris, meanwhile, is unlikely to start at the MKM Stadium according to Eustace, who says the game will come too soon in his recovery having been sidelined since November.
“I think it’s still too early for Carlton. He’s been back two weeks now after missing a large chunk of the season. Coming on at Watford was fantastic for everybody to get him on the pitch and to give him that amount of minutes,” Eustace added.
“There is good competition for places up there and we have to remember we have been on a really good run. Carlton coming back into the squad is certainly going to help. But there is no divine right for him to start games. Let’s just wait and see.”
On facing the Tigers, Eustace added: “Hull (City) have got a fantastic squad. They had a good squad last year, and they’ve certainly built on that this season. A very highly respected, experienced coach is there now leading them. They’re a good team, we’re a good team as well and it’s important we keep building and progressing nicely. Saturday’s performance (at Watford) wasn’t where we want it to be, and we’ve got to put things right.”
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