Derby County talisman Carlton Morris is back on the grass and ready for a return to training next week, John Eustace has confirmed.
Derby County are in good form and are looking to close the gap to the Championship play-off spots. DCFC are two points behind the top six in 11th place, having lost once in their last five games.
They haven’t struggled for goals either, with 39 goals in 29 games. There were concerns the Rams would struggle Carlton Morris was sidelined after scoring ten goals in sixteen games, but Patrick Agyemang has done his best John Eustace.
Nevertheless, news of Morris’ impending return will be music to the ears of the Pride Park faithful. Eustace confirmed this Dominic Dietrich from BBC Radio Derby while speaking to the press the Derby County forward has been back on the grass with physios and will be in and around training next week.
Morris is out with an ankle injury sustained in the 3-2 defeat to Watford in November. He will definitely be back in action.
Carlton Morris gives Derby County a significant injury boost
Derby County FC News
Morris signed for Derby County last summer from relegated Luton Town. Some wondered whether he could be back to his best after a challenging 2024/2025 season, but it didn’t take long for him to win over doubters.
The 30-year-old scored in his first four games for the Rams and was in electric form just before his injury struck. He continued another four-match scoring streak, scoring six goals with a hat-trick against Sheffield United.
As mentioned, DCFC has done quite well in Morris’ absence. Agyemang has taken a step further and Ben Brereton Diaz has found some long-awaited form in recent matches.
Nevertheless, having a standout championship scorer and a key leader will be another huge boost. Eustace will be careful with his minutes as he keeps his workload down, but hopefully it won’t be long before Morris is on the pitch.
Derby County stats from Carlton Morris
| Games | Goals | Minutes per goal |
| 16 | 19 | 135 |
How will Derby County’s attack adapt?
There is no hiding the fact that Morris is one of Derby County’s best eleven. He led the line, while Agyemang more often than not operated in a slightly deeper role, occasionally drifting out wide.
It is widely expected that DCFC will return to this system, but it does affect the midfield and back four, which have produced decent results of late. Brereton Diaz has contributed four goals in his last five games, so Rhian Brewster’s place could be in jeopardy.
The Rams also just signed Jayden Banel on loan from Burnley. However, as a loanee he will likely serve as cover following the departure of Corey Blackett-Taylor.
Sammie Szmodics is also wanted. Morris’ return will not affect the line-up against Bristol City, but it will be an impending headache for Eustace.
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