Derby County’s injury-hit campaign hasn’t stopped them from challenging at the top with a key first-team star now closing in on a return.
Derby County clinched a crucial 3-0 victory over Leyton Orient on Saturday afternoon as a surprise double from Sonny Bradley helped them to all three points. The Rams knew they could ill-afford to slip up with Bolton Wanderers breathing down their necks.
Following their goalless draw against Wycombe Wanderers, promotion was no longer in their hands, but after Bolton drew against Portsmouth, the promotion pendulum swung back in Derby’s favour.
Paul Warne‘s men now need to win their final two games to guarantee their return to the Championship as one key player closes in on a return to action.
Max Bird is set for a return to Derby County training
Derby midfielder Max Bird has been sidelined since sustaining a calf injury at the start of March. The 23-year-old has missed eight matches through injury, although the Rams have still secured five wins during that period.
Bird was initially expected to return at the end of last month, but his recovery has taken longer than expected with the box-to-box midfielder now nearing a return to training.
That is according to the Derby Telegraph, who claim that he should be back in the squad against Cambridge United this weekend in what will be a huge boost to Warne.
Max Bird can cap off Derby County career in style
14 years after joining the Derby Academy as a nine-year-old boy, Bird is only two matches away from departing his boyhood club.
Bristol City won the race for his signature in the January transfer window, with the Robins loaning him back to Pride Park for the remainder of the campaign.
During the most pivotal period of their season, Bird’s calf injury has restricted his involvement, but he can cap off his Rams career in style by playing his part in the final two matches.
Since making his debut for the club against Barnsley in September 2017, the Englishman has registered 198 appearances in all competitions, recording nine goals and 17 assists.
Hailed a “special talent” by journalist Leigh Curtis, Bird has an opportunity to wrap his career with 200 appearances on the board, as long as he features in the final two matches.
His return will certainly be a huge boost, offering the Rams an increase in attacking dynamism and output to complement the tackling machine, Ebou Adams.
The post Report: Warne handed Derby County boost as ‘special’ talent set for training return before Cambridge appeared first on Derby County News.