SQUAD UPDATE: Elder Ruled Out Until After International Break

Callum Elder is expected to be ruled out until after the international break after undergoing surgery on his knee, Derby County Head Coach John Eustace has confirmed.

The Australia international will be sidelined for up to six weeks after suffering with a knee issue across recent matches, while he also sustained a toe injury in last month’s fixture away at Hull City.

“Callum's had surgery on his knee, so he's going to be, unfortunately, out for the next five to six weeks,” Eustace told club media in his pre-Sheffield Wednesday press conference.

“It's a bit of a blow, but it’s important that we get him back before the end of the season. I think he will be with the group again just after the international break.”

The 31-year-old left-back has made 30 appearances for the Rams across 2025/26, scoring once and assisting five times.

Elsewhere, Eustace provided a positive update on Norwegian duo Sondre Langås, who last featured in the 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion in January, and Lars-Jørgen Salvesen, who has missed Derby’s previous three fixtures.

“Sondre is progressing really well,” said the Rams’ boss. “He's been on the grass with the physios, training outside now. So, fingers crossed, he'll be with us just after the international break.

“Lars was also on the grass with the physios today [Thursday], which is great. That's a real positive step for him. Hopefully, in the next two weeks, he'll join back in with the first-team training group.”

Danny Batth, meanwhile, is making progress on a calf strain and is expected to rejoin training next week, while Eustace also confirmed Liam Thompson had suffered ‘a slight setback’ on his calf niggle but will be back on the grass with the physios from Monday, meaning another 10 days to two weeks before the midfielder returns to full training.

Eustace also praised the mental character of Scottish international Max Johnston. The defender last featured for the Rams in the win over Queens Park Rangers at the end of October, and has received a series of setbacks on his hamstring injury since.

“Max has been out for a little bit of time now,” said Eustace. “He’s had a couple of setbacks on the way but he's doing really well. We've got a great dressing room, and the boys are really looking after him and making sure he's getting through it.

“This is part of his journey; it’s part of any footballer's life. You're going to get injuries, and it's how you bounce back from it. Max is a really solid boy, and he'll be coming back from this injury much stronger than before.”

Finally, the Derby Head Coach said goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström is no closer to returning due to complications from a virus he caught at the end of January.

“Jacob’s still struggling with his virus, unfortunately. He's not fit enough to take part in training. We want to get him back on the pitch, of course, and we've got to get to the bottom of why it's keeping him off the pitch.

“We're working hard, we're getting tests, but there's just something not right at the moment. He is feeling better, which is great, but he's just not at the level to perform on a Saturday and train every day. We've just got to be a bit patient with him.”