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FLW's Rams Fan Pundit shares his thoughts on Jacob Widell Zetterstrom not playing since January

Derby County are continuing to await the return of first-choice goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, who hasn’t featured for the Rams since the 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion on January 23.

In that time, both Josh Vickers and Richard O’Donnell have featured between the sticks for John Eustace's side, but following Tuesday’s 4-2 defeat at Hull City, questions are starting to emerge about how much the Swedish stopper’s absence is being felt.

Although Eustace has dismissed rumours of 'ridiculous' theories surrounding Zetterstrom - which may or may not have involved the January transfer links to Brentford and Nottingham Forest - his lack of a clear return date is starting to worry FLW's Rams Fan Pundit, Shaun Woodward.

Derby County suffering 'huge blow' with Jacob Widell Zetterstrom's absence

Woodward has admitted that the extended spell on the sidelines for Zetterstrom is becoming a growing concern, especially since Vickers' aforementioned showing against the Tigers.

"I think most clubs in the Championship would miss a keeper of Zetterstrom’s quality," Woodward told FLW.

"He really was having a good season for us, and it’s been a huge blow to us that he’s been out."

Across 28 Championship games in 25/26, the 6ft 6in shot-stopper has six clean sheets - needing only three more to equal the tally he ended his debut season in English football with, nine.

In terms of actually saving shots, as per FotMob data, he has a save percentage of 69.7%, which is the tenth-best in the league. Although Vickers' has played a lot fewer games, his is 61.9%.

"I think O’Donnell and Vickers have both done well when they’ve come in. Vickers, against Watford, was probably our best player. I think he did well against Ipswich as well. Against Hull, he didn’t have his best game," Woodward continued.

"It wasn’t that he did much wrong, I just think all four goals...he didn’t really look like he was going to save them, his presence wasn’t great.

"He always seemed like he was slightly in the wrong position and just never really filled me with confidence that he was going to get a hand to something or make it difficult for their strikers to score."

Hull managed to score four goals with an xG (Expected goals) of just 0.58. Whether the all-left-footed defence in front of Vickers should've done better is another thing, but you perhaps would've backed Zetterstrom to command his box more.

This is maybe why Woodward is reluctant to single the goalkeeper out, adding: "It's tough because, only a couple of weeks ago, we were saying we’ve got the best number two and three keepers in the league, and they’ve both had clean sheets this season.

"So, I’m not panicking, he didn’t have his best game and he’ll admit that. But I don’t think many of the back four did either. It was a makeshift backline and you could tell, they all looked like they haven’t played together before in those positions."

Jacob Widell Zetterstrom 'can't come back soon enough' for Derby County

As previously mentioned, Eustace has already played down suggestions from a section of the Derby fanbase that there are "other things going on" behind Zetterstrom’s absence, but it was somewhat right for them to be cautious.

When the number-one was first out of the starting XI, the January transfer window was obviously still open - and Vickers had signed a new contract until 2029 on the 27th of said month. This did cause a little panic at first because Rams fans weren't aware of his virus, so the thinking was that he was going to move to the Premier League.

Even though no transfer came to fruition then, Zetterstrom still hasn't played any football through his virus, which does make Woodward 'worry'.

"It is a worry that Zetterstrom’s still out," said Shaun.

"He’s such a presence, he’s such a class player, he was really starting to come into his own and we were seeing the best of him. It’s a huge blow that he’s not fit, and he can’t come back soon enough."

Ultimately, if Eustace’s side are to maintain any last hope of a potential playoff push, the return of the Swede could prove just as significant as any new signing - but the question is: When will his return actually happen?