Big blow for Derby as Bywater is ruled out for a month
Published:Derby County have suffered a major setback after goalkeeper Stephen Bywater fractured his wrist in training a week ago.
Bywater fell awkwardly during training last Wednesday and was told he has a small fracture by a specialist yesterday.
The goalkeeper has been an ever-present this season, playing every single minute of Derby’s campaign so far.
Derby manager Nigel Clough has said he intends to bring in a loan keeper to help his side deal with Bywater’s injury.
“We’re going to try and bring one in on loan for a minimum of 28 days” said Clough, who last season bolstered goalkeeping ranks with the loan signing of former Liverpool trainee David Martin.
Clough has indicated he may give reserve keeper Saul Deeney a chance to play in Bywater’s place, but he will still require a loan signing.
He added, “”We have a competent number two in Saul Deeney, but we will still need cover, but experienced keepers are difficult to come by.”
Clough wouldn’t comment on reports linking him with England under 21 international Frankie Fielding, but he did concede that he hadn’t made up his mind yet on who would start in goal for the Rams on Saturday.
He said “They [the new loan signing] might play instead of Saul or I might give Saul his chance.”
Derby face Preston on Saturday and will be hoping to continue their four match unbeaten run with a victory over Darren Ferguson’s team.
The Rams are priced at 10/11 to beat Preston and will, despite a stuttering start, still aim for promotion at the end of the season.
Preston themselves have hit a bit of form and have two wins and a draw from their last three games, making 12/5 quite a generous price for their trip to Pride Park.
Derby are 66/1 to win the Championship. Follow the full NPower Championships odds betting market here.
