"We Are Looking Forward To Getting Back Out There"

Derby County's players enjoyed some down time during the recent international break, as well as working hard on the training ground as the team prepare for the final nine games of the Sky Bet Championship season.

However, central defender Richard Keogh has been in game mode over the last two weeks as he represented the Republic of Ireland in their 2020 Euro qualifications campaign under new manager Mick McCarthy.

It was a good time away for the 32-year-old as he recorded back-to-back clean sheets in their two qualifier wins against Gibraltar and Georgia.

“It as two positive results for us and to play the two games as well was great,” Keogh told RamsTV. “There was a real good feel about the group and with Mick McCarthy coming back it was a good place to play football and we got the results.”

Just before the international break, Keogh suffered an injury to his hand which he played through whilst on international duty.

“It was a bit of a freak injury and I don’t really remember it,” he explained. “I ended up breaking my hand; the middle metatarsal I think they call it.

“It wasn’t ideal and it was a little bit sore. I spoke to the hand surgeon and I said if I can avoid surgery then that is what I want to do.

“We had a look at the x-ray and put a plan together and managed to get me through it until hopefully it heals up. It’s not ideal but as long as I can play, I will get out there.

“I have an everyday splint just to try and keep it protected. It has been getting better and just over two weeks now, so it is definitely feeling a lot better. It’s just a little bit bruised. It is a bit awkward at times, but I just have a little protective thing over it.”

The defender will hope to play through the pain barrier for the remainder of the season as his attention turns back to Derby and the Sky Bet Championship.

The Rams approach the final stretch of the season in a good position and the captain hopes to hit form just at the right time.

“For us now it is about these nine games and every game is going to be very important from now until the end of the season,” he said.

“It is so tight at the moment and every point we get now is going to be precious. We are back at home again and especially after the international break, we have people back fit.

“The squad is looking good and we are looking forward to getting back out there and hopefully getting a positive result.”

Rotherham United are the visitors to Pride Park Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

The Rams will be wary of their opponents following the reverse fixture early in the season, after tasting a 1-0 loss, but Keogh is focused on gaining three points and keeping them in contention for the play-off positions.

“They have had a good season really, coming up from League One and putting themselves in a position where they can stay in the league,” he commented. “I think if you said that to them at the start of the season then they would have taken that.

“We know when we went there it was a tough game and we know what they are about. No game is easy and coming in to the last nine games people are trying to fight to stay up, trying to get promoted and every point is vital for us.

“Rotherham are going to come here and try and get points because they need them themselves. I think our last three games have been pretty good, we are back on the right track and with the lads coming back and being at home we need to make sure we start the game well and impose ourselves on them. If we can do that then I think we have a good chance of getting something from the game.”