Derby County will head into Saturday’s Championship fixture against Swansea City at Pride Park with a host of injury and suspension concerns, leaving manager John Eustace with tough decisions across the pitch.
Callum Elder missed the Rams’ recent 2–1 home defeat to Ipswich Town with knee trouble, ending his streak of eight starts in nine matches. Speaking after the game, Eustace explained:
“His knees were playing up today, unfortunately. He couldn’t train yesterday, and we have got to look after him.”
Dion Sanderson was also sidelined with a calf strain, another setback in a stop-start 2026 for the centre-half. Eustace added:
“He just tweaked his calf a little bit. It’s important we protect him. Hopefully he will be back for next week.”
The absences forced Eustace to reshuffle his defence against Ipswich.
Derry Murkin, signed from FC Utrecht, stepped in at left-back and impressed in his debut, while Danny Batth partnered Matt Clarke at the heart of the defence.
With Elder still unavailable, Murkin could make a second consecutive start at Pride Park.
Derby’s squad concerns extend beyond Elder and Sanderson. Captain Lewis Travis will miss the Swansea game after his red card against Ipswich, while Carlton Morris remains on the sidelines despite taking part in parts of training this week.
Max Johnston is still recovering from a calf injury, Sondre Langås is out for a couple of weeks with a hamstring problem, and goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom has missed further time due to a virus.
these absences, Eustace could be without up to seven first-team regulars for the Pride Park clash.
Eustace faces a number of selection challenges, but he has several options to adjust the team across all areas of the pitch.
Goalkeeper: The choice between Richard O’Donnell and Josh Vickers will be crucial. O’Donnell has been Derby’s regular starter, but Vickers offers experience and leadership from the back.
The manager may select based on recent training form or the tactical plan for Swansea.
Defence: With Elder unavailable, Murkin is expected to continue at left-back. At centre-back, Batth and Clarke are likely to pair up in place of Sanderson.
This combination balances experience with leadership, with Clarke also taking on the captaincy for the game.
Midfield: The absence of Travis opens up options in the middle of the park.
Liam Thompson is the most likely candidate to start in the defensive midfield role, but Eustace could also bring in Oscar Fraulo, who impressed off the bench recently, or give minutes to youngster Owen Eames for energy and pressing.
Clarke’s leadership will help guide the midfield, ensuring stability while new or younger players adjust to the Championship intensity.
Attack: Sammie Szmodics, signed on deadline day, could be deployed to give Patrick Agyemang or Ben Brereton Diaz a rest, while still keeping the front line dangerous.
Eustace has the flexibility to rotate his front three depending on Swansea’s shape and the game’s flow, with Szmodics offering creativity and movement to complement the existing attacking options.
Overall, the Rams are likely to set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Murkin and the back three providing defensive solidity, a midfield led by Clarke and Thompson (or Fraulo/Eames) controlling the tempo, and a rotated attacking trio capable of stretching Swansea.
Eustace may also look to use his substitutes strategically to inject fresh energy in the second half, particularly with so many absences.
Eustace believes the squad will be stronger once Morris, Langås, Zetterstrom, Johnston, Sanderson, and Elder return. Their presence will not only boost the starting XI but also provide vital options on the bench.
Despite the injury problems, Derby currently sit ninth in the Championship, a position seven places higher than their squad value of £52m might suggest, according to Transfermarkt. It is a sign of the progress the team has made under Eustace this season.
Saturday’s clash with Swansea City at Pride Park will test Derby’s depth and adaptability. With careful squad management and tactical flexibility, Eustace will aim to field a balanced side capable of securing a much-needed home victory.
