Defender out for up to four weeks with knee injury.

Richard Keogh has been ruled out of Derby County’s Christmas & New Year programme due to a knee injury.


The 27-year-old Republic of Ireland international defender had to be forced off halfway through the first half of Derby’s 3-1 win over Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.


Keogh underwent a scan on Sunday which revealed medial knee ligament damage.


It is expected that he will be out of action for up to four weeks and he will begin his rehabilitation programme immediately.


Head Coach Steve McClaren said: “It is obviously a blow to lose Richard for a few weeks because he is a very good defender and captain for the side.


“He’s been in good form and played a key role in us improving our defensive record in recent weeks.


“However, injuries are part and parcel of football and it’ is something we just have to contend with.”


He added: “Michael Keane came on in place of Richard and did well against Doncaster and we have Zak Whitbread and Mark O’Brien back in training too, so we’re lucky to have cover in central defence.”


Keogh, who was last season’s Jack Stamps Trophy winner, has played 72 games for Derby since arriving from Coventry City in the summer of 2012.


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