Rams star Harry up for Player of Month gong
HARRY IS A DOUBT FOR TRIP TO ELLAND ROAD
HARRY Wilson is doubtful for Derby County’s Championship clash against leaders Leeds United at Elland Road tomorrow night.
Wilson missed last Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie with Southampton due to a hip problem.
The 21-year-old midfielder/ winger on loan from Liverpool suffered the injury in the 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough at Pride Park Stadium on New Year’s Day.
“Harry is doubtful,” said Rams manager Frank Lampard.
“He has been training with the physio today and because of his influence, of course, I will wait to see as long as I can that he may be able to take part.
“But I won’t take a risk if he feels he is not up for a game that is going to be a taxing game on the legs.”
Wilson is Derby’s joint leading scorer with striker Jack Marriott on 10 goals.
Derby defender Scott Malone is “in contention” for a return to the squad.
Malone has missed the previous four matches due to a groin injury but has been back in training this week and could figure against Leeds.
“Scott has been training this week, so
he’s in contention,” added Lampard. In the absence of Malone, along with long-term absentees Craig Forsyth and Marcus Olsson, Andre Wisdom has filled in at left-back. Max Lowe played there in Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie against Southampton - his first appearance since returning from a loan spell at Aberdeen.
Meanwhile, forward Mason Bennett is also back in training as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring injury. Bennett has been out of action since limping off in the home defeat to Aston Villa on November 10. “Mason Bennett has trained the past two days,” said Lampard. “He’ll be a bit slower (coming back than Malone) because it has been a bigger period that he’s been out - but it’s great to have him back on the training ground with us.”
Olsson, Forsyth (both knee) and Curtis Davies (Achilles) all remain sidelined.
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa says that key player Pablo Hernandez, who has scored seven goals and provided 10 assists in the Championship so far this season, is an injury doubt. The 33-year-old played the full 90 minutes in Leeds’ 4-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest on New Year’s Day but was not part of the squad at the weekend for their FA Cup tie against Queens Park Rangers.
“He could play on Friday,” Bielsa said.
“I can’t say 100 per cent he won’t play but if there is even a small doubt I wouldn’t like to take any risks with him over another injury.
“If it was up to him he would play because he’s a generous player. He should play only if we are sure it can’t get worse.”
The Leeds boss also indicated that Barry Douglas and former Derby loanee Patrick Bamford could miss the clash.
Club captain Liam Cooper, who has been sidelined for more than a month with a knee injury, is back involved with the first team and could feature in the game.
“I can’t ignore the fact we have lost many players in the past few weeks but we can adapt to the situation. We can solve these difficulties,” said Bielsa.
“(Stuart) Dallas, (Gaetano) Berardi, (Jamal) Blackman are not here, outside the group.
“Liam (Cooper) comes back to the group. (Barry) Douglas is not in the group. A fifth absence is Kalvin Phillips, who is suspended. (Samuel) Saiz and (Lewis) Baker are not inside the group.
“Bamford is absent too. Pablo Hernandez will find it hard in the next game, so we are missing many players but, for me, it’s not an excuse.”
I won’t take a risk if he (Wilson) feels he is not up for a game that is going to be a taxing game on the legs. Frank Lampard