3/1 To Win
Manager Frank Lampard praised the attitude of midfielder George Evans who returned to the starting XI against Norwich City for the first time in over four months.
It’s been a long road to recovery for the 24-year-old, who was signed in the summer from fellow Sky Bet Championship side Reading.
He suffered a knee injury against Ipswich Town in August, and initially it was feared Evans would be ruled out for the season.
Luckily the news was better than first feared but the midfielder has still faced adversities.
Little niggles here and there have halted his progress, but through his willingness and determination, along with help from the club’s medical team, he returned to the first-team set up.
Evans has been training regularly and played in two Under-23 fixtures to build up his fitness before being named on the substitute's bench for the game against Nottingham Forest on 17th December.
He made his first appearance back from the bench as he played the final 20 minutes of the Rams' Boxing Day game against Sheffield United.
Lampard awarded the former Manchester City youngster his first start since his injury and he played the full 90 minutes in the dramatic 4-3 victory over the Canaries.
“To come in from the cold when you’ve been injured and not played many games is tough for anybody,” Lampard told RamsTV.
“George’s attitude has been first class. Nobody likes being thrown into a game where everything is happening around you in a negative way but he dealt with that.
“When he got through that, his passing was cool at times which was nice, his defensive work was good, he was getting around and winning balls, and I’m delighted for him.
“He deserved that performance and now he needs to carry on. He needs to keep doing the right things and he can become a big player for us.”
