Derby County players Nat Phillips and David Ozoh are in a race against time to prove their fitness ahead of the weekend.
Both missed The Rams’ hammering at the hands of Queens Park Rangers, having both been substituted at the same time in the previous Championship match against Oxford United.
Warne Issues Update
Speaking to Derbyshire Live ahead of County’s next match against Millwall this weekend, Paul Warne believed both’s chances to feature were in the balance.
“They are still touch and go really.
“It’s very important we manage those guys properly with their injury records in the past. We’ll just have to see from there.”
Both have struggled to maintain fitness across the season, with Liverpool loanee Phillips picking up a calf problem during their FA Cup Third Round defeat to Leyton Orient, only returning for their match against Norwich City two weeks ago.
Ozoh has only played 11 times for The Rams this campaign, with multiple issues keeping the Crystal Palace youngster out of action.
A win for Derby over the South London side could propel them out of the relegation zone and into 20th place, but will have played a game more than Hull City and Cardiff City by the close of play on Saturday.
Writer’s View
In their relegation scrap, Derby County and John Eustace will want every option available to him. Nat Phillips and David Ozoh are important figures for the side, with the defender being a solid option at the back and Ozoh being a useful option to attack down the wings. Whilst they may be needed to get a positive result in this game, rushing them back too soon after an injury setback could come with repercussions and further stretch a squad that has three long-term absences. Eustace did acknowledge these issues, meaning that the former Blackburn Rovers boss may lean on the side of precaution for the pair this weekend.
