John Eustace confirms Derby County issue - 'there's just something not right' | OneFootball

Jacob Widell Zetterstrom has been out of action since January, but he is no closer to returning to the starting XI right now.

Derby County have had several injury issues over the course of the 2025/26 Championship campaign, and they have lost key players such as Carlton Morris, Max Johnston and Lewis Travis for significant periods of time already.

Callum Elder is the most recent player to suffer a new problem, with the left-back suffering a fractured toe against Hull City, and it has now emerged that he requires knee surgery and will not return to the side until after the international break.

The Rams face Sheffield Wednesday this weekend, with the Owls playing for pride after they were relegated by bitter rivals Sheffield United in February, and they will be hoping to end their 12-game losing run at Pride Park on Saturday afternoon.

However, Derby will once again be without a certain member of their playing squad, and now John Eustace has provided an update on where he is currently at with his recovery.

John Eustace provides fitness update on key Derby County player ahead of Sheffield Wednesday clash

Jacob Widell Zetterstrom has played just once since mid-January, with Josh Vickers and Richard O'Donnell taking on the responsibility of keeping the ball out the back of the net for the Rams over the last few weeks.

However, supporters will be keen to see how the Swedish shot-stopper is doing in his recovery from a virus, and Eustace has explained the 27-year-old's current situation. He said (via: dcfc.co.uk): "Jacob’s still struggling with his virus, unfortunately. He's not fit enough to take part in training. We want to get him back on the pitch, of course, and we've got to get to the bottom of why it's keeping him off the pitch.

"We're working hard, we're getting tests, but there's just something not right at the moment. He is feeling better, which is great, but he's just not at the level to perform on a Saturday and train every day. We've just got to be a bit patient with him."

Zetterstrom's last appearance for Derby came against West Bromwich Albion in a 1-1 draw, but he returned too early and his head coach is keen to ensure that he recovers fully before playing in the Championship once again.

Derby County have several players out vs Sheffield Wednesday

Elder and Zetterstrom will both miss the next few weeks of action, at the very least it seems, as will Sondre Langas with the centre-back still recovering from a hamstring problem. The Norwegian is expected to return to the team after the international break.

Elsewhere, Lars-Jorgen Salvesen is growing close to a return, but Liam Thompson has suffered a setback that will see him delayed as he looks to get back into training with the squad.

Yet, there remains great concern for Max Johnston. The right-back came off against QPR in October with a hamstring problem, but he has been unable to find any sort of fitness and he has been rooted to the treatment table.

In more positive news for Derby, Danny Batth will train with the team next week. He's been nursing a calf strain over the last couple of weeks, weakening Eustace's defence as they look to make it a third home win in a row.