ROWETT VOWS TO SUPPORT STRICKEN WINNALL
SAM Winnall may be only on loan at Derby from Sheffield Wednesday, but Rams boss Gary Rowett insists his club will do their utmost to support the striker after he was ruled out for the rest of the season.
The 27-year-old has undergone surgery after tearing an anterior cruciate knee ligament.
He came off the bench in Derby’s 3-0 win over Brentford just over a week ago and won a 90th-minute penalty when he was fouled in the area by Chris Mepham.
Rowett is counting the cost of losing Winnall, who joined the Rams on the final day of last summer’s transfer window and had notched six goals in 17 Championship appearances.
“It is a big blow for the team because he’s such an important member of the group,” said the Derby manager.
“It was such an innocuous incident. If we remember it, over on the far touchline, he went down under no challenge and he just caught his studs in the ground.
“His movement meant he twisted his knee but he got up and carried on.
“He will probably be the first player to tear an ACL and go on to then have a shot, win us a penalty and make four runs.
“That shows his determination.
“We’d be more than happy to keep him as part of the group.
“He might be on loan but, for me, he is our player right now.
“We do, of course, have to respect he is contracted to Sheffield Wednesday and we will speak to them about it.”
Posting on Instagram, Winnall said: “Obviously, I am devastated but I know I’ve got the right family, friends and girlfriend to get me through this and come out the other side stronger.”