Derby County hit with fresh David Ozoh injury setback | OneFootball

Derby County will be without David Ozoh for another month after he suffered a fresh injury issue.

Derby County will be without midfielder David Ozoh for another month at least after he suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury.

The 19-year-old joined the Rams on loan from Crystal Palace for the season, and he enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign.

Ozoh brought energy and quality to the Derby midfield, and he scored his first goal for the club in a comfortable win over Bristol City at the end of August.

Derby County’s David Ozoh suffers fresh injury problem

However, Ozoh was forced off in the next game due to a hamstring issue, and he has been working his way back to full fitness over the past six weeks.

And, much to the frustration of Derby and the player, journalist Dominic Dietrich has revealed how Warne told reporters that Ozoh has picked up an issue with his quad as he was preparing to return to action.

“Derby County midfielder David Ozoh has suffered a quad injury on his final day of recovery from a hamstring issue. He will be out until after the next international break according to head coach Paul Warne.”

David Ozoh will be missed at Derby County

Firstly, you have huge sympathy for the player here, as he will have been through weeks of recovery only to suffer a new problem just as he was looking forward to getting back out on the pitch.

So, it will be difficult for him to take, but these things happen in football, and now Ozoh just needs to make sure he follows the process properly, as he identifies the Preston game after the international break as the one to come back for.

For Derby, this is a blow, as they have only picked up five points from the six games that the teenager has missed.

Of course, that’s not entirely down to Ozoh, but they had nine points from the five games he played, so the stats suggest he is an important player for the side.

That’s backed up from what you see as well, because Ozoh brings a different dynamic to the Derby midfield, as he can cover the ground impressively, and he is someone who was relishing the chance to prove himself at this level.

So, this is a blow for the team, there’s no getting away from that, and Warne will be looking at how he can make a few tweaks to cope with Ozoh’s absence.

Derby County’s squad will be tested

As mentioned though, these things happen in football, and Warne is experienced enough to know that the Championship is a league that always tests your squad.

He will see this as an opportunity for other players to stake their claim, and even though they’ve only won once without Ozoh so far, they are unbeaten in three, and the boss will take encouragement from the recent performances.

Derby are now ready to embark on a two-week period that will include four games, so Warne will need to freshen things up at times, but the aim will be to get points on the board to ensure they remain safely in mid-table, and if they do get a few wins, they can then perhaps start looking up.

The Rams are back in action Saturday when they welcome Hull City to Pride Park.