news-engine

Sam Szmodics latest as double Derby County injury update issued Derby County latest from DerbyshireLIve as Sam Szmodics had to come off in the second half of their 2-1 defeat to Charlton Athletic John Eustace says Derby County forward Sam Szmodics suffered a thigh issue in the warm-up to their defeat to Charlton Athletic and revealed influential defender Matt Clarke is facing a minimum of a fortnight on the sidelines. And in another injury problem, Derry Murkin's comeback has been derailed after he suffered a hamstring injury ahead of the under-21s' defeat to Hull City on Friday night. Eustace issued the update after the defeat to the Addicks where Szmodics scored his second goal in as many games following a smart move and link-up with Carlton Morris. But he had to be replaced after 54 minutes by new signing Alex Mowatt and was seen with heavy strapping around his thigh after the game. Speaking after the 2-1 defeat to Charlton, Eustace said: "Sam had a slight tweak to his thigh in the warm up so it was really a big ask for him to start. He's obviously such a top player at this level and he took his goal sensationally well. "It was good link-up play with Carlton, which is really pleasing. We've just got to hope that we're not losing him for much of the time. "Clarkey will be at least two or three weeks, I would have thought which is obviously a huge blow to us," he said. "But it gives somebody else an opportunity. Fozzie's come in for his first start for a long time, but I don't think he really put a foot wrong and that just typifies Craig, at his age and the way he trains and plays. He's always ready. "Unfortunately, Derry had a slight strain of his hamstring last night (Fri), so that's a bit of a blow. I'm not sure how long he'll be out, hopefully not too long, but again, that's a player who hasn't been fit for about three or four months. "He was on the way to recovery and unfortunately, it was probably a step too far last night."