Gregory’s season may now be over
STRIKER Lee Gregory could miss the remaining six matches of Derby County’s season, says manager Wayne Rooney.
The striker, on loan from Stoke City, suffered a hamstring injury in the home victory over Luton Town on Friday and sat out Monday’s 3-1 defeat by Reading.
After the game, Rooney said: “Lee Gregory, it’s not great, he will be out for the majority of the season.”
Rooney also provided injury updates on Martyn Waghorn (hamstring), Matt Clarke (groin), George Edmundson (hernia), Jack Stretton (ankle) and Nathan Byrne (concussion).
“Martyn Waghorn is not as bad (as Lee Gregory), we are hoping to have him back in a week or two,” said Rooney.
“Matt Clarke got a bang in his groin area and he will be out for a week or two. Hopefully, we can get him back as soon as possible.
“Before George Edmundson came to us (on loan from Rangers) he had surgery on a hernia and he has a hernia on the other side. It is a decision we have to make whether he has surgery on it or not but I think he will be out for two or three weeks.”
Byrne took a knock to his head during the first half of the Reading game and had to be replaced 10 minutes before the break.
“I think there’s concussion with Nathan and obviously we can’t take any chances,” said Rooney.
Stretton returned from his onemonth loan spell with National League side Stockport County and the 19-year-old striker was named among the Rams’ substitutes. He came on after 62 minutes but had to be replaced later in the game.
“Jack Stretton was really struggling with his ankle, I don’t know if he rolled it or it was a kick. He was struggling and couldn’t continue,” said Rooney.
Derby’s need to boost their attacking options next season is clear to see from their struggle to score goals during their current Championship campaign.
They have managed only 30 goals in 40 League games. Only Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers have scored fewer in the Championship.
The Rams will be linked with strikthe ers ahead of the summer transfer market. Last week, it was James Collins of Luton Town. Now Derby are said to be “eyeing” Accrington’s Dion Charles.
Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town are also said to be interested in the £1.5m-rated 25-year-old, according to The Sun.
Charles joined Accrington from Southport in 2019 and he has found the net 25 times in 67 League appearances for the club, inluding 18 goals this season.
He made his international debut for Northern Ireland in a friendly against the USA last month.
Charles has also played for AFC Fylde and Fleetwood Town having been a trainee at Blackpool.