Eiran Cashin sends message to Curtis Nelson after big Derby County moment | OneFootball

The Birmingham City loanee has celebrated the 32-year-old's return to action at Pride Park

Birmingham City loanee Eiran Cashin has celebrated Curtis Nelson's return to action for Derby County with a heartfelt message on social media.

Nelson had made the Rams bench in the previous two league games before the Leicester City match last Saturday, and nearly scored with his first touch - after 11 months out.

The former Cardiff City man was ruled out for the rest of 24/25 in January after suffering a knee ligament injury against Watford, and only made the 25-man squad list after Owen Beck was recalled by Liverpool.

Although he was only on the pitch for one minute, the 32-year-old saw his headed effort saved by the Foxes' Jakub Stolarczyk.

Eiran Cashin's show of support for ex-Derby County teammate Curtis Nelson

Cashin, a Derby academy graduate and fellow centre-back, took to Instagram to praise his former captain following Nelson's involvement for the Rams against Leicester.

The Republic of Ireland youth international responded to Nelson's post with an emphatic statement of support. The younger defender commented, "My skipper ❤️ good to see you back out there 💪🏼"

Nelson had posted his own thoughts on the comeback, reflecting on the challenging rehabilitation process by writing, "It's been a long journey back to this point and it was never going to be straight forward… New week, same goal ⚽️📈."

After 144 appearances for the East Midlands outfit, Cashin, of course, joined Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion for a reported fee of £9m - 11 days after Nelson was confirmed to be injured.

His reply shows the bond between the pair and Nelson's standing within the Derby dressing room, despite his prolonged spell on the sidelines. In 23/24, the latter played every single minute for Derby in the league, whilst Cashin only missed two league games himself that season.

Curtis Nelson may follow Eiran Cashin's footsteps and leave Derby County in a winter window

FLW exclusively revealed last Thursday that the Rams are open to either loan or permanent offers for Nelson in January.

Given the fact that the centre-back found himself subbed onto the pitch ahead of Danny Batth - and Craig Forsyth - against Leicester, you could argue that it might've been one of the last times Derby fans see him in action for the club.

However, despite being out of contract next summer, his experience would still remain invaluable to Derby’s dressing room for the rest of this season.

It's clear that head coach John Eustace prefers to use Sondre Langås, Matt Clarke and Dion Sanderson as his main three centre-backs when available, but Nelson seemingly backs himself to earn a starting berth.

By the 'new week, same goal' comment, it shows that Nelson obviously wants to continue getting first-team minutes, and the only place he can do that, for the meantime at least, is Derby.

Ultimately, Cashin's support reveals the friendship that still exists between two Derby players, past and present. And with more first-team football beckoning on the horizon, Nelson will be determined to repay the faith shown in him by the club.