3/1 To Win
Derby County boss Phillip Cocu has confirmed that Kamil Jozwiak’s ankle injury is not as severe as first thought.
The winger was injured in the closing stages of Derby’s 1-1 draw at home to Cardiff City on Wednesday evening and had to be carried off the pitch at the final whistle.
Cocu says that while the 22-year-old will miss Saturday’s trip to AFC Bournemouth, he could return to the squad for next Wednesday’s home match against Queens Park Rangers.
There were concerns that the Poland international would be out of action for a longer period, but those initial fears have been allayed.
“Kamil is doing quite well, so we are pleased,” Cocu told RamsTV.
“I don’t think he will be out for a long time, but he won’t be available for Bournemouth. We expect that he will be available for Wednesday and that is positive news.
“We were worried that maybe it was a serious ankle problem and that we could lose him for two or three months. Now it seems likely that he will only miss one game and that is positive for us.”
Skipper Wayne Rooney could return to the matchday squad against Bournemouth after missing the side’s last three games.
Rooney was forced to self-isolate for a period after encountering an individual that had tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month.
The 35-year-old returned to training on Friday and Cocu says he is looking in good shape.
“Wayne is back in; he was allowed back for today and he trained,” Cocu said.
“He looked really fit. We made a fitness programme for him with the physical coaches so he could keep his fitness up in the best way possible in the situation at home.
“He looked really fit and trained well so he is available.”
Goalkeeper David Marshall missed the draw against Cardiff with a minor injury, while defender Lee Buchanan was withdrawn in the second half of the game with a tight hamstring.
Cocu has, however, confirmed both players will be available to face Bournemouth.
He said: “They have both trained today and are fine, so they are available.”
Speaking to the media on Friday afternoon, Cocu indicated that Polish midfielder Krystian Bielik could be in the squad to face Bournemouth after almost ten months out with a long-term knee injury.
Bielik played 65 minutes for Derby’s Under-23s last week after resuming full training last month.
Former Bournemouth winger Jordon Ibe, who has not played a first-team game in over a year, is still building up his sharpness after joining Derby in September and will not feature against his old club.
