Tom in frame for Rams after break
FORWARD Tom Lawrence could be ready to play again after the international break, according to Derby County manager Wayne Rooney.
And Jordon Ibe continues to make progress as he is now involved with the Under-23s.
Lawrence has been out since he damaged an ankle in the Rams’ goalless draw against Stoke City on December 12.
He has missed the last 15 League games.
Asked if the international break later this month would provide Lawrence with extra time to get fit, Rooney said: “He will probably be there or thereabouts in terms of being available for selection around that time.
“Then it will be a case of getting some extra fitness work in during the international break unless he gets called up (for Wales) which I’m sure will be very unlikely with him not playing.
“After the international break he should be fit and available to play.
“He has been training really well, getting better every day and he could do part of the session tomorrow (Friday) with the team.
“But he has been out for a while now so we have to get him back slowly doing bits with the team.
“I think he is probably a couple of weeks away from being involved in any games.”
Ibe’s only appearance since signing for Derby as a free agent in September came as a substitute against Stoke City in December.
He has been out of the match-day squad since Boxing Day and used social media website Instagram in January to speak of his struggles with depression.
The 25-year-old winger is back training.
“He had a period of time on his own (training with the physios) and he has now joined in with the Under23s to build his fitness and he needs to play games,” said Rooney.
“The next step for him is to get two or three games for the Under-23s and we will see where we are at after that.”