Cocu Reports Positive Injury News On Attacking Pair Ahead Of Blackburn

Phillip Cocu is confident that Kamil Jozwiak and Jack Marriott will be available for selection when Derby County take on Blackburn Rovers at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off).

The pair were forced off in the second half of last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Luton Town due to injury.

Marriott was substituted shortly after scoring Derby’s equaliser early in the second half at Kenilworth Road after receiving a heavy blow to his ankle.

New signing Jozwiak, who assisted Marriott’s goal on his debut after signing from Polish side Lech Poznan, sustained a knock to his knee late on against the Hatters.

Cocu was understandably concerned about the duo’s fitness in the aftermath of the game but was pleased to report that the duo trained with the Rams’ squad today ahead of this weekend’s meeting with Tony Mowbray’s side.

“It is always positive news if we hear that a player is not heavily injured,” Cocu told RamsTV.

“We have only just signed Kamil and expect him to be a big part of the team, so it would have been a real shame if he was out for some time. He looked fine today in training and Jack did as well.

“Maybe Jack wasn’t a hundred per cent but he could do quite a bit of work, so we expect on Friday he will be even better and able to play on Saturday.”

Forward Tom Lawrence (shoulder) and midfielder Krystian Bielik (knee) are making good progress on the road to recovery from spells out of action but remain sidelined for the time being.

Martyn Waghorn’s calf problem means the striker is still not yet back in full training, but Cocu could have two other bodies to call upon against Blackburn.

Versatile midfielder Duane Holmes has recovered from a short-term muscle injury, while defender Mike te Wierik is available again after serving a one-match ban for his red card in the Carabao Cup Second Round tie against Preston North End last week.

New signing Jordon Ibe has begun training with the Rams after signing a two-year deal this week, but the winger needs time to build up his sharpness after being without a club since July.