Derby County manager Frank Lampard has provided an update on five first-team players who missed Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Reading in the Sky Bet Championship.
With the victory against Jose Gomes’ Royals coming less than 72 hours after beating Southampton in the FA Cup, a few changes were made to Lampard’s matchday squad.
First-choice goalkeeper Scott Carson was amongst those absent from the Derby team, allowing a first Championship start for Dutch goalkeeper, Kelle Roos, with Lampard confirming that his absence was due to injury.
“He had a sore knee”, said Lampard. “He had a little bit of fluid on his knee, a bit of swelling.
“I spoke with Scott before the game and decided it was best that he sits with the medical team, rests a bit for a couple of days, gets some treatment and hopefully it won’t be a long one.”
After featuring for the entire 120 minutes against the Saints at St Mary’s Stadium earlier in the week, Scottish midfielder Craig Bryson was handed a rest from the side, whilst winger Florian Jozefzoon who has not featured in either matchday squad this week is currently suffering with a knee issue.
Lampard added: “Craig ran a lot on Wednesday; I’ve got a good relationship with Craig so we can talk openly, and he was fatigued yesterday. I need him around and I need him fit, so to start him is a risk.
“He [Jozefzoon] is injured, he’s got a small injury to his knee which is why he wasn’t involved today and [on] Wednesday, but he’ll be fit for training next week.”
Derby’s substitute bench saw central midfielders Max Bird and George Evans provide cover in the middle of midfield for the Rams, the latter of which was introduced late on against his former side.
Former England midfielder Lampard admitted that senior duo Bradley Johnson and Joe Ledley are both currently fit and available for selection, but he didn’t feel the need to select them against Reading.
“They are [fit and available for selection]”, described Lampard. “But there would be no point in me putting four or five midfielders on the bench.
“We do need defensive cover, which is why Lee Buchanan was on the bench and when Jozefzoon is out, I chose to give Tyree Wilson a chance.
“They are fine, but I won’t play favourites. We have a really competitive bunch and that’s coming to the fore at the moment. Holmes comes in and does well, Roos comes in and does well, players who are looking after themselves and coming in and we need that; it’s a long season”.
