Saul Deeney looks set for a month on the sidelines after a freak injury prior to the defeat at Swansea.
Freak injury for Rams' back-up keeper
Derby County goalkeeper Saul Deeney looks set for a month on the sidelines after a freak injury prior to their defeat at Swansea.
The former Burton Albion keeper slipped and twisted his ankle outside the team's hotel on Thursday evening when the fire alarm sounded.
Deeney, who is yet to feature this season, could be out of action for anywhere up to six weeks, according to manager Nigel Clough.
"Saul slipped over and he's going to be out for four to six weeks," Clough told the club's
official website.
"He was in pain straight away and he has either twisted or sprained it.
"He had an X-ray in Swansea and will have one in Derby this week."
Professional terms
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Dublin-born defender Mark O'Brien has signed professional terms at Pride Park.
The stopper, who is currently recovering from heart surgery, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with the Championship outfit.
"I'm delighted to sign professional terms, and I want to thank the club for standing by me and also putting their faith in me with the length of contract I've signed," said O'Brien.
"The security of this contract has given me a great deal of confidence and I cannot wait to get back in the New Year and start to get myself fit again.
"I'm feeling good four weeks on from the operation and I've been taking in some long walks to ease myself back into the swing of things.
"When I do get back, I want to repay the faith that the manager and club have shown in me and hopefully prove why I have been given this contract.
"I also have a huge desire to follow in the footsteps of other players who have progressed from the Academy and established themselves in the first team."
