Latest Derby County news from DerbyshireLive as a former Rams hero suffered a setback in the quest for promotion from League Two
12:02, 14 Dec 2025
Derby County's promotion-winning hero Nathaniel Mendez-Laing could be set for weeks on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury against Cambridge yesterday.
Mendez-Laing had to be replaced in the first half of MK Dons' 1-1 draw against their promotion rivals, which kept both sides in League Two's top seven.
The ex-Rams winger, who has scored six goals in five games, needed to be replaced by Aaron Collins after just 20 minutes.
Mendez-Laing now looks set to be sent for a scan to determine the extent of the injury.
Speaking after the game, former Rams head coach Paul Warne said: "Nat felt his hamstring.
“We’ve been managing his minutes, I didn’t want to take him off on Tuesday (against Notts County) but I knew for him to go back-to-back like that we’d need to manage him.
"I didn’t think it would be a problem so early in the game. But he felt it go, so that’s a concern.”
Mendez-Laing produced an excellent performance against Notts County in midweek, with the winger scoring twice in a 3-2 defeat at Meadow Lane.
He is the second former Derby player to be on the sidelines at Stadium MK, with Kane Wilson yet to return from a knee injury.
Wilson picked up the injury in his first game for the club, which was a 3-2 defeat at home to Grimsby Town.
He is not expected back until the New Year. Both Wilson and Mendez-Laing were fan favourites during their time at Derby with the duo playing key roles as they won promotion to the Championship in the 2023/24 season.
Mendez-Laing left last summer to join MK Dons and was then followed by Wilson, who joined the club close to deadline day in what was believed to be a six-figure sum.
What were your memories of Mendez-Laing and Wilson? Have your say HERE.
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