Speaking to the Derby Telegraph, Derby County manager Gary Rowett has revealed that Nick Blackman may soon be leaving the club on loan. Despite resuming fitness, he has failed to make the squad for the Rams, including last night’s abandoned Carabao Cup tie away to Grimsby Town.
A knee injury caused the former Reading man to miss a prolonged period of last season, and his preparations for the upcoming campaign in pre-season have been less than ideal too. Rowett therefore has admitted that Blackman could move away from Pride Park on a temporary deal to give him the opportunity of regular minutes.
Derby do have healthy competition in the area of Blackman’s preference, and Rowett states that letting him go could be the best thing for all concerned,
“It’s a difficult one, really.
“I think Nick is at a point where he needs to play games and the difficult thing at the moment is that I can’t guarantee him that opportunity.
“I think the reality with someone like Nick is that he probably needs to go out on loan and play those games.
“But if that doesn’t happen within this window, then he’s still our player and we’ll try to get the very best out of him.”
Current Swansea City boss Paul Clement signed Blackman for £2.5million when in charge of Derby last January. He was allowed to leave Reading after it become apparent that he wouldn’t be signing a contract extension at the Madejski Stadium. Perhaps a loan return to the Royals is an option considering their injury situation?
