Paul Warne has provided an update on his Derby County squad following the September international break.
Four members of the first-team squad travelled across the world to link up with their respective nations - Guatemala’s Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Gambia’s Ebou Adams, Sweden’s Jacob Zetterström and Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chirewa.
All four have now returned to Moor Farm and the boss explained how his squad has been further bolstered ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship clash with Cardiff City at Pride Park Stadium, with the return of Ben Osborn and Kane Wilson to training.
Speaking to RamsTV, Warne said: “Kane Wilson will join the group today [Thursday], Ben Osborn has trained all week.
“He’s [Osborn] been unfortunate with injuries over the last couple of years, he’s a full-energy midfielder and he covered over 12km against Middlesbrough, which was more than anyone on the pitch.
“We have to get the best version of him and we have to manage the players as well as we can.
“Corey Blackett-Taylor is looking really good so there is a lot of positive signs.
“Jake Rooney is a little bit further off, but he’s progressing nicely.”
The boss will also be able to call upon Nat Phillips and Marcus Harness for the first time, who will both be available for the first time since their deadline-day arrivals on loan.
On Harness, Warne explained: “He’s settled in straight away.
“Nat – I knew he would fit in and they are prepared for the battle ahead.”
Out of Derby’s four senior internationals, Warne confirmed that three will be available to face the Bluebirds at the weekend.
He said: “Tawanda has suffered a concussion so he’ll miss the next two.
“Nat is fine, Jacob is fine and Ebou is fine.”