Midfield pairing reunited.

Republic of Ireland international Jeff Hendrick admits that whilst Will Hughes remains sidelined through injury, Craig Bryson is the perfect partner to have at the heart of the Rams’ midfield.
This week, Rams boss Nigel Clough confirmed that Hughes would miss the side’s home encounter with Crystal Palace, as well as Tuesday night’s trip to league leaders Cardiff City with a groin injury.
Prior to the 17-year-old’s injury, the midfield line-up tended to see Bryson deployed on the left-hand side with a license to roam, with the Scot featuring alongside Hughes, Hendrick and Paul Coutts.
However, following Hughes’ injury, Bryson has been moved back into the centre, where he and Hendrick enjoyed a productive spell last season that saw the pair form an exciting partnership.
The duo’s performances did not go unnoticed as Bryson was named Player of the Year, whilst his central midfield colleague, Hendrick, was crowned Young Player of the Year.
Hendrick told Rams Player:“I think we have got a great partnership, we work well together.
“We played nearly every game together as a pair in midfield last season, although this year we have played together as more of a three, with Bryso out on the left.
“I enjoy playing with anyone; it is different playing with Bryson compared to Will, because Bryso is very energetic and likes to bomb on a bit more, so I am there in more of a holding position.
“With him playing out on the left recently, he is more used to getting forward, but now he is back in the middle he is happy to be more disciplined and hold if I push on.”
Meanwhile, with automatic promotion chasing Crystal Palace arriving at Pride Park this evening, Hendrick says the side are keen to avenge the 3-0 defeat the Rams suffered in the reverse fixture at Selhurst Park.
He added: “Palace were on a great run of form when we went there earlier in the season, I don’t think they had lost in something like 12 games.
“That afternoon we didn’t really turn up and they put in a very good performance; a few of us after the game admitted that we weren’t at our best.
“But with the way we have been playing at home this season, we are confident going into any game at Pride Park. 
“However, if we don’t get an early goal it is important that we stay compact and don’t give anything away, because with hard games coming up and with how tight the league is, we have got to pick points up wherever we can.”
Watch the full pre-match interview with Jeff Hendrick exclusively on Rams Player.