Sanderson, Clarke, Travis - latest Derby County injury news ahead of Preston North End | Derbyshire Live

Derby County return to Championship action when they face Preston North End at Deepdale on Saturday, January 17

John Eustace has revealed Dion Sanderson is having to manage a shin complaint, after leaving the new signing out of Derby County’s FA Cup defeat to Leeds United.

The centre back, whose loan from Birmingham City was made permanent at the start of the transfer window, had started the last eight games for which he was eligible – and 23 of the Rams’ 26 Championship matches.

But he was omitted from the squad which lost 3-1 to their Premier League visitors with Eustace explaining why.

“Dion is fine, he has been playing with some shin splint problems,” the head coach told BBC Radio Derby. “That’s been an issue for him. It was important he got a rest, same with Matt Clarke and that’s why we mixed it up.”

Eustace was, though, happy to be able to give debuts to Oscar Fraulo and Owen Eames, while handing Lewis Travis a first start since October 4.

The Rams captain was taken off after an hour. “It was always the plan to give him 60 minutes,” Eustace said. “I thought he tired quite quickly which is understandable.

“I think he has been out for 11 weeks so he has had no games at all. To give him his first 60 minutes is vital.

“The most important thing is now we have 20 big games coming in the league, three in a short period of time and we need as many fit players as we can and just trying to manage the minutes properly to be able to do that is the most important thing.”

David Ozoh, on loan from Crystal Palace, also played for the first time in months, replacing Travis for his first appearance since November.

Clarke and Sanderson will return to the squad for this weekend’s trip to Preston North End.

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