John Eustace facing new tricky Derby County decision - it involves Lars-Jorgen Salvesen and Carlton Morris | OneFootball

Lars-Jorgen Salvesen could put John Eustace in a tough spot if he continues to step up to the plate in Carlton Morris' absence

Lars-Jorgen Salvesen was on the scoresheet against Swansea City in Carlton Morris’ injury absence, which could give John Eustace a real decision to make upon his return.

Lars-Jørgen Salvesen couldn’t have timed it better to score a winner as Derby County walked away victorious against Swansea, making it six league wins out of their last seven.

Thrown into the starting XI against the Swans, Salvesen was the man chosen by John Eustace to lead the line as Carlton Morris recovers from his foot injury he sustained against Watford on Saturday.

The Norwegian marked the occasion in the perfect way by finding the net in his first start of the season, having recovered from a long-term injury himself. His 53rd-minute goal was enough to hand Derby all three points which saw them rise to seventh in the table after a slow start to the season and are now level on points with Bristol City, who occupy the final play-off spot.

For Salvesen, it was the kind of statement performance that forces a manager into a tricky decision, and in Derby’s case, it may have sparked a selection headache that Eustace will soon have to confront once Morris makes a return to action.

If Lars-Jorgen Salvesen continues to fire, it could force John Eustace into a tough decision

It's no secret that Morris has been the Rams’ standout performer this season, having already reached double digits for goals for his new side. In what seemed like a devastating blow, his injury against Watford many feared would halt Derby’s attacking momentum, but instead, Salvesen has stepped up to the plate at the first time of asking and delivered a reminder to all at Pride Park as to why the club brought him in last season.

The 29-year-old works hard, knows where the goal is and is certainly a handful for defenders which mimics those qualities of Morris.

Obviously, he isn't a direct replacement for the Englishman who has shown his class for many years in the EFL for Luton and Barnsley, but it's been made clear to Eustace that he has two quality Championship strikers on his hands and if Salvesen continues as he did against Swansea, then his impact could come with a dilemma.

Since switching to the 3-4-3 formation, Derby have had great success, picking up 18 points from a possible 21, which has led to their sudden rise up the table. At first, it looked like another season where Derby would be battling it out to stay in the division. However, in recent weeks it has been anything but.

The tweak in the system has given a new lease of life to personnel all across the pitch, from the striker, whether that's Morris or Salvesen, to the wing-backs, where Callum Elder and Joe Ward have profited greatly by adding goals and assists to their games despite not being Eustace's first choice pairing.

Therefore, with only one striker spot available for Morris and Salvesen, who are both natural centre-forwards, you'd seem to think that once fully fit, Morris would make a seamless return to his starting role, but if that is the case, many fans would make a case for Salvesen to start alongside him, especially if he continues in the same vein given his performance against Swansea.

A firing Carlton Morris and Lars-Jorgen Salvesen will be a welcome headache for John Eustace, but a headache all the same

Playing Morris and Salvesen as a pair would likely require Derby to shift away from the 3-4-3 structure, potentially sacrificing width or midfield control. The wing-backs, who have been excellent, also might suffer. So, if Eustace does decide to opt for a front two as done before in a 4-4-2 against Wrexham earlier this season which ended 1-1, then there's no doubt that the Rams would have more than enough firepower at the top end of the pitch.

However, with it looking like the manager has found a winning formula, any change to the system could disrupt their current momentum and rhythm. Yet if Salvesen is to keep scoring, then dropping an in-form striker feels equally counterproductive.

For Eustace, this is the kind of problem every manager wants. Two strikers in form and fighting for their place. But with play-off ambitions now on the cards, toying with systems, formations and personnel switches at this stage of the season would be a bold decision, especially with a busy winter schedule on the horizon.

Most likely, Morris will return to his rightful spot, but with Salvesen making his case, Derby County could be left with a genuine dilemma that will only become more prevalent if the Norwegian keeps scoring.

What looked like a setback last week may turn into an area of opportunity for the Rams.