Derby County head coach Paul Warne has admitted that loanee Tyreece John-Jules is set to return to training next week ahead of the final game of the campaign.
The Rams are in a favourable position to gain automatic promotion back to the Championship before the end of the month but need to pick up at least three points from their remaining two matches against Cambridge United and Carlisle United.
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Having suffered a slight blip in form in recent weeks, Warne’s men have been saved by the inconsistent form of Bolton Wanderers, who failed to go level on points with Derby on Tuesday night following a 2-2 draw with Shrewsbury Town at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
Nevertheless, Saturday’s trip to the Abbey Stadium certainly won’t be an easy one and could even prove to be a banana skin game for Derby County. Cambridge are still fighting for survival in League One at the opposite end of the table and three points this weekend could confirm safety for the U’s.
One man who could be set for a return to the squad is John-Jules. The 23-year-old has become somewhat of a teacher’s pet under Warne but has had an injury-blighted campaign, having not featured for the club since the end of January.
However, speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend’s clash in Cambridgeshire, Warne has revealed that the centre-forward is back in training and could play on the final day at Pride Park against already-relegated Carlisle [quotes via Derby County News]:
“I am going to speak to him in a bit because he is coming back into training next week,” Warne said.
“That is good news and if he looks amazing and is better than everybody else he could play the following week – I don’t care. But if we are in the play-offs, he will be here for that. I want him to be here with the group. He has played a part this season and he is a great kid. I will look forward to seeing his smiley face.”
Writer’s View
This is great news for John-Jules. He has played well in the short number of games he has been on the pitch and a return to Pride Park next week to potentially say goodbye to the Derby County faithful whilst possibly celebrating automatic promotion would be a joyous occasion for all.
On the flip side, if the unthinkable happens and the Rams fail to win either of their last two matches, having him back as an option in the squad will be a huge bonus for Warne as it strengthens his attacking department.
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