Midfielder Graeme Shinnie is close to making his Derby County comeback.


The Scotland international has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury in mid-November.

Shinnie, 28, has resumed full training with Derby’s squad and is making good progress towards returning to the fold.

Manager Phillip Cocu says Shinnie will need time to regain his sharpness, but he is pleased to see the former Aberdeen player moving closer towards a return to action.

The Scotland international picked up the injury in the 1-0 victory against Preston North End almost two months ago.

Shinnie had started seven successive games after breaking into the Rams’ side in October following a period of waiting patiently for his chance to impress in the early weeks of the campaign.


Cocu told RamsTV this afternoon: “We have positive news on Graeme Shinnie.

“He has been involved in training for the last couple of days and is close to returning.”

Forward Mason Bennett is another player making good progress on the road to recovery.

Bennett, like Shinnie, was injured in the win against Preston in the penultimate month of the calendar year.

He injured his ankle in the victory against the Lilywhites but is not far from returning to full training.

Cocu said: “Mason Bennett is not too far from returning in team sessions, so that is good news.”

Striker Jack Marriott will miss this Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship fixture at home to Hull City (3pm kick-off).

A minor muscle injury forced Marriott to sit out the 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough last weekend, but he could return to training at the start of next week and potentially return for the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round tie at his hometown club Northampton Town next Friday.

George Evans (calf) is also still out although the midfielder is also making good progress in his rehabilitation work.