Loan star JJ could be in the frame for final push
TYREECE John-jules is in contention for a place in Derby County’s squad to face Carlisle United tomorrow after Paul Warne revealed he was the “best kid in training” on Tuesday.
The on-loan Arsenal forward has recovered from the hamstring injury he sustained against Reading in January, when it was originally feared he would be out for the season.
John-jules needed surgery but his rehab has gone so well that the Gunners have given him the green light to return to Derby this week.
He will aim to play a part in the club’s final game of the League One campaign against the Cumbrians at Pride Park Stadium tomorrow (12.30pm) as the Rams need only a point to clinch promotion. “He’s been training,” said Warne. “He irritates me because he came in on Tuesday and was the best kid in training again.
“He did that stupid pass into the floor, it bounces up and it goes into the goal.
“I’ve never seen any footballer do that. It’s good to have him back and he is competing for a place, as they all are.
“The lads who have been playing the last few weeks have all looked good as well so we have a few decisions to make. But on the back of wins it’s not as difficult.”
Striker Dwight Gayle was due to
return to training yesterday but Warne was coy on whether he would be involved tomorrow.
The former Newcastle United forward has been out of action with a hamstring problem since the victory over Bolton Wanderers in March.
But Gayle, who has scored three goals since arriving on a free transfer in February, has worked hard on his recovery and is in a position where he will be put through his paces ahead of the Carlisle clash.
Warne says he has yet to make a decision on the ex-crystal Palace forward and will see how he fares.
“I don’t know if he is fit enough to play a part,” Warne added. “He is joining in today a little bit ahead of schedule because he wants to play a part but so do another 20.
“I also have to consider the fact that if results don’t go our way, I am going to need Dwight for the playoffs.
“If I think there is a risk in playing him or having him on the bench, then I won’t take it just to keep one player happy.
“It is about the team. I’ll assess him over the next couple of days and make a decision.”
EIRAN Cashin is hoping he can drive Derby County to promotion this weekend and would love to do it for his family of Rams fans.
The centre-back scooped the Young Player of the Season honour at this week’s awards ceremony at Pride Park Stadium following an incredible campaign that is set to finish at home against Carlisle United tomorrow (12.30pm).
Cashin has played a pivotal role in Derby’s promotion push.
His defensive partnership with Curtis Nelson has been the bedrock of the Rams’ bid to return to the Championship.
Now Cashin is hoping to claim the biggest prize of all by securing the point the Rams need tomorrow to finish second in League One and clinch automatic promotion.
Demand for tickets has obviously been high and Cashin admits he has had to let a few people down for the game this weekend.
But his family will all be there and he is eager to finish the job for them.
“I’ve had to tell a few people that I can’t sort them for tickets,” said Cashin.
“There are not many available but I’ve managed to get my main family there. They are buzzing.
“I’ve been at the club for 10 years which means my family have too. They feel like fans of Derby just as much as everyone else.
“They went through the same emotions as the fans did when the club was going through a very tough time.
“They are basically Derby fans, so to get it done for them, I would be buzzing.”
Having come through the club’s academy, Cashin, along with Max Bird, Liam Thompson and Louie Sibley, have deep emotional connection to the Rams and have all made the journey alongside each other.
Cashin added: “We are trying to stay focused. We are talking about promotion more than earlier in the season. But there is still a job to do.
“However, there is a lot of excitement. You know you are going to do the basics well, training has gone really well but it’s that excitement of getting it done knowing that you’ve achieved it.
“You want it to happen. But the gaffer has been saying enjoy the process and the build-up.
“Savour every moment. That’s what we are trying to do.”
It’s good to have him back and he is competing for a place, as they all are. Paul Warne