Paul Warne issues Derby County fitness update amid concerns over Haydon Roberts and Max Bird | OneFootball

Paul Warne has offered an injury update following Derby County’s 5-0 thrashing of Torquay United on Tuesday evening.

The Rams earned safe passage into the second round of the FA Cup with a win at home in Pride Park.

The Derby boss revealed afterwards that Haydon Roberts was taken off early due to a hamstring issue.

The Brighton loanee lasted just 19 minutes before being replaced by Craig Forsyth.

It was Roberts’ cross that led to Mark Ellis’ own goal, which gave the hosts the lead on the night.

It was also revealed that Max Bird is struggling with a fitness concern following a rough tackle in the second half which led to lengthy treatment.

It remains to be seen whether Roberts will be available for this weekend’s clash with Portsmouth, with an assessment to be made ahead of Friday night’s fixture, but it is believed that Bird will be fit to feature.

“[Roberts] just felt a bit hammy then he said he felt alright,” said Warne, via Derbyshire Live.

“I then said if you felt alright you should have stopped the cross.

“We decided between us not to take any risks so brought him off and put Craig Forsyth on. I had the joy of taking him back off which must be a career first.

“Haydon is the only real concern.

“Birdy got smashed just below his shinpad so I think he’s a bit sore. But I don’t think that will be a problem.”

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Derby will go into their meeting with Pompey 6th in the League One table, level on points with Danny Cowley’s side.

A win could move the Rams up to 4th before the rest of the division kicks off in the rest of the weekend.

The Verdict

Roberts has been an important member of the team since arriving from Brighton so any injury concern will be a worry.

Derby made hard work for themselves by needing the extra tie to get past Torquay and a potential absence of Roberts would be a consequence of that.

Portsmouth on Friday will be a big game, so the team needed the extra few days of rest going into it.

Warne will need to consider the players’ fitness levels having only had three days between games.