Derby County will look to bounce back from their FA Cup penalty shootout defeat at Leyton Orient when they tackle Watford in the Championship this weekend.
The Hornets have struggled for form in recent weeks and arrive at Pride Park without a win in their last five games.
Derby do have plenty of niggles to deal with after last night’s third round exit against the Os with Corey Blackett-Taylor, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Nat Phillips all having to come off during the game.
Striker Jerry Yates was also missing for Derby and ahead of the visit of the Hornets at the weekend, here is the latest from the treatment table.
Jerry Yates
Derby’s top scorer, on loan from Swansea, missed last night’s penalty shootout defeat to Orient but he will back to face Watford having been rested as a precaution due to a minor issue with his groin.
Corey Blackett-Taylor
The winger played in the defeat to Orient last night and actually played well but he had to come off in the second half having complained he was tightening up. Was taken off as a precaution.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing
Like Corey Blackett-Taylor, the winger also complained of tight calves and had to be replaced in the second half. You would think he would be okay to face the Hornets at the weekend.
Joe Ward
The wingback had to pull out from being on the bench against Bristol City because of a minor issue with his knee. Was not on the bench for the game last night and faces a battle to prove his fitness ahead of Saturday.
Nat Phillips
The defender had to come off at half-time against Leyton Orient because he felt an issue with his groin. The on-loan Liverpool defender is now considered a doubt for the game at the weekend.
Eiran Cashin
The defender had to be replaced in the second half of the crushing 4-0 win over Portsmouth before Christmas because of a hamstring problem.
But the good news is that he should be available for Watford having returned to training this week.
David Ozoh
The on-loan Crystal Palace midfielder has been out of action since picking up an injury against Cardiff. Initially, he had overcome the hamstring problem, which saw him taken off in the second half, but in his final session, before he was due to return, he damaged his quad muscle.
But Paul Warne is hopeful of finally having the midfielder back in training in the next few days.
Ryan Nyambe
Nyambe was ruled out for up to six months because of a knee injury he sustained against Millwall earlier in the season. The former Blackburn defender has damaged his posterior ligament.
Like Cashin, Nyambe trained this week, but his return to the team may take a little longer as a result of how long he has been on the sidelines.
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