Rams defensive duo likely to miss Argyle clash

Rams defensive duo likely to miss Argyle clash

The Rams will head into their next Championship game with first-choice centre-backs Dean Leacock and Martin Albrechtsen likely to miss Plymouth Argyle’s visit to Pride Park Stadium on October 18 after the international break.

Leacock will defiantly miss the clash against the Pilgrims after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Norwich City and serves an automatic one-match ban.

The news on Rams Danish defender Albrechtsen`s fitness is bleak, his hamstring injury will clear in time for the game but it`s been reported he might need surgery on a groin problem.

The former West Bromwich Albion defender injured his hamstring early in the Rams 1-1 draw against Birmingham City last week and was unavailable for the trip to Carrow Road.

He received good news with the scan showing no tear, but the 28-year-old has seen a specialist about a persistent groin problem and Paul Jewell must decide whether the time is right for him to have an operation.

‘Martin’s hamstring is not too bad but he may well need a groin operation. We will know more today or tomorrow,’ said manager Paul Jewell.

‘There is no tear in the hamstring – the scan was clear – but he has had an ongoing groin problem.

‘So we have got decisions to make but we can make them with a clear head,” added Jewell.

Welsh international defender Lewin Nyatanga stepped in for Albrechtsen at Norwich and Jamaican international Claude Davis was on the bench.

Another option for the Rams is the emergency loan market, which is now open, if Jewell feels he needs to bring in another centre-back.

Goalkeeper Roy Carroll is also out of the Plymouth game, after being sent off for at Norwich, Stephen Bywater, who is an able replacement, will step into the breach in place of the Northern Ireland international against Plymouth.