Wayne Rooney provides Derby County team news update ahead of Blackburn Rovers clash | OneFootball

Derby County manager Wayne Rooney has suggested that both Sam Baldock and Jason Knight are doubtful to be included in the Rams’ squad for the visit of Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

Baldock has been out of action for Derby in the last few matches following the forward being forced off the field during their goalless draw at Preston North End after suffering a broken nose early on.

It is believed that Baldock has now also picked up an issue with his hamstring that has kept him out of Derby’s training session on Tuesday in preparation for their game against Blackburn.

The return to action of Colin Kazim-Richards from the bench in the last three Championship games has at least absorbed some of the impact of Derby losing Baldock upfront for the last two matches.

However, Rooney has still had to turn to Tom Lawrence as his starting striker with Kazim-Richards not yet fit enough to feature from the start for the Rams in Baldock’s absence.

Knight, meanwhile, was forced to miss out on Derby’s squad for their trip to Coventry City last weekend with him suffering with a thigh problem at the moment.

He also has not featured for the Rams in their training session on Tuesday as Rooney begins to prepare his side to take on Blackburn this weekend.

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Speaking to Derbyshire Live, Rooney revealed that Baldock is getting better now in terms of his nose injury and now just needs to recover from his hamstring issue. While he also suggested Knight is doing better with his thigh injury but he will be doubtful for Saturday as well.

He said: “Sam’s nose is not too bad, but he has been playing with a bit of a knock on his hamstring. We just need to get that right.

“Knighty has got an issue with his thigh which is not too bad, but he will be touch-and-go for Saturday.

“They are both touch and go for Saturday, but there is probably less chance of them being involved.”

The verdict

Rooney has had to get used to the frustration of suffering injury setbacks this season and that has not been helping his already threadbare squad. However, despite all of those issues, the Rams continue to pick up important points and keep plugging away.

Baldock seems to be getting closer towards making a return and that will be vital for Derby because they really do lack numbers in the final third. The return of Kazim-Richards coupled with the experienced striker getting back to fitness would be a huge boost for the Rams.

Knight was a real miss for Derby last weekend at Coventry and they will want him to be back in action as soon as possible because of the energy and extra attacking quality that he can bring to the table for them.

It does seem that Rooney will once again have to find a solution in the absence of both Baldock and Knight against Blackburn, but he is right to be cautious with the pair and only return them to action when they are fully ready.