Derby County head coach Steve McClaren has told the club website that is hoping that Darren Bent will be able to return to the first team for the match against Barnsley.
The 33-year-old striker has been in great form ever since McClaren returned to the club as head coach and is currently the top scorer for the Rams having netted 12 times this season. But he was forced to sit out of the 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers during the week due to a groin issue picked up in the match against Aston Villa.
Now it is up in the air if Bent will be able to play this weekend against Barnsley and with the game being a must win if they want to keep their Sky Bet Championship play-off hopes alive, McClaren is hoping that the veteran forward will be fit and raring to go for when they invite the Tykes to the iPro Stadium.
He said: “Darren was outside with the physios on Thursday.”
“As long as he hasn’t had a reaction, he will be training with the squad on Friday.”
However despite the hope Bent will be back, Jason Shackell and Richard Keogh will both be out for this weekend.
McClaren added: “It looks like Rich and Jason will still be out.”
“They are still recovering so we will have to cope without them.”
“This is why we have a squad, we have to deal with the situation and it’s therefore a chance for others.”
Derby’s game against Barnsley will take place on the 4th March at 3pm.
