Paul Warne provides worrying Derby County injury update following Charlton win | OneFootball

Match-winner Nathaniel Mendez-Laing was seen wearing a protective boot after Derby County’s win over Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

Rams boss Paul Warne has provided an update on the in-form winger, whose 31st-minute strike sealed all three points for the promotion-chasing League One side..

The victory moved the team to within four points of leaders Portsmouth, while also holding a game in hand over John Mousinho's team.

Derby have now won two on the bounce, but the injury to Mendez-Laing will be a concern for supporters.

The 31-year-old has contributed seven goals and 10 assists from 30 appearances in League One this season, including one and three respectively from his last five games.

Warne has suggested that there is a concern that the forward has broken his foot following a nasty challenge from a Charlton player.

However, the Derby boss confirmed that the Guatemala international attacker will need to be assessed before he could provide any further details on the extent of the injury.

"It was a challenge where a stud went through his boot and I don't know if he has broken his foot or what," said Warne, via Derbyshire Live.

“I've broken a metatarsal before and I know the pain of a break.

“Obviously he is not going to play on with a broken foot.

“He came back on again but he just couldn't get himself going again.

“Hopefully it isn't serious.

This will come as a big blow to Warne’s side if Mendez-Laing is set for a long absence given his importance to the team.

Mendez-Laing has the most goal involvements for the Rams in the league this season, three more than James Collins.

Derby County league position

Derby find themselves in second position in League One, but Ian Evatt’s Bolton Wanderers are only one point behind, so they could move into a top two spot with positive results in their extra games.

The Rams will be aiming for automatic promotion this year, having narrowly missed out on a play-off place in the previous campaign.

However, it is proving to be a very fierce competition at the top of the third tier standings, with the likes of Peterborough United and Barnsley also a part of the chasing pack.

Mendez-Laing’s injury is a real blow

A broken foot could spell a lengthy absence for Mendez-Laing, which would be a big blow for Derby.

For this to come right after the transfer window closes is also particularly frustrating for the club, as they can no longer look for a short-term solution in the market to make up for this absence.

Mendez-Laing could still feature again this season, but it could be a couple of months before we see him.

That he still came back on the pitch, and even scored the winner, is quite impressive given the supposed extent of his injury.