Derby County boss makes 'touch and go' injury claim ahead of 'difficult' Millwall clash

Derby County could be without two key players for their clash with Millwall on Saturday. The Rams are currently in the relegation zone, currently in 22nd place and one point from safety, although they are under the influence of the new manager buzz.

Derby somehow convinced John Eustace to leave his role as manager of a Blackburn Rovers side currently in the top six to join them, and he is now preparing for his first home clash as Rams boss on the back of a heavy defeat to QPR last weekend.

But Eustace will not be helped by the potential absences of defender Nat Phillips and midfielder David Ozoh. “They are still touch and go really,” Eustace told Derbyshire Live. “It’s very important we manage those guys properly with their injury records in the past. We’ll just have to see from there.”

Phillips also missed the QPR game, as did Ozoh, and it seems both are in doubt of featuring against the Lions. The latter also missed a large chunk of action through injury earlier in the season, missing time from September to early January.

The two sides drew 1-1 when they met at The Den earlier this season, but this fixture will have an added challenge for currently mid-table Millwall, given this will be Eustace’s first home game in charge. And given the ambitious nature of the appointment, he is likely to get a rousing welcome, not to mention he actually finished his playing career with the Rams, making 48 league appearances in two years.

Millwall have drawn their last two games, including a stalemate with Preston during the week, and Eustace was in attendance for that one, adding: “I went to watch the Preston game on Tuesday. It’s going to be a difficult game. They’re very well organised and structured. It wasn’t the prettiest of games, but they get the job done. I expect the same on Saturday.”

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