Derby County's injury concerns ahead of Sunderland fixture on Tuesday | OneFootball

The Rams have no fresh injury concerns ahead of their trip to the Stadium of Light.

Derby County head to the Stadium of Light on Tuesday evening searching for their first point on the road this season.

The Rams have been beaten in all three of their away games in the 2024/25 campaign, falling to defeat against Blackburn Rovers, Watford and Sheffield United by relatively narrow margins.

On the other hand, Derby's home form has been near perfect, winning three of their first four games at Pride Park, losing only to Norwich City on Saturday in controversial circumstances.

Paul Warne will be hoping that his side can get over the disappointment from the game that saw the Canaries score twice after the ball had gone into touch.

With Sunderland starting the season so well, there will be fears that the Rams' poor away record will continue, but with the pressure off against the second place side in the division, Derby can play with freedom on Tuesday.

Derby County injury updates ahead of Sunderland clash

The Rams continue to miss five players out of their matchday squad, with Callum Elder and David Ozoh still unlikely to return until after the international break.

Assistant manager, Richie Barker, explained to RamsTV ahead of Tuesday's game that there are no fresh injury concerns, and that those who are already missing will continue to be out.

Elder was injured against Sheffield United, having started the season excellently, coming off due to a groin injury late on. Craig Forsyth replaced him for the visit of Norwich, and looks likely to do the same against Sunderland.

Ozoh was taken off early in the second half against Cardiff City in the Rams' 1-0 win earlier in September. The Crystal Palace loanee suffered a hamstring injury, and was given a six-week timeline for his return.

Liam Thompson suffered an unfortunate injury in training a couple of weeks ago, and is the second Derby player to have a groin issue. The 22-year-old is nearing a return but will not be ready for Tuesday. Tom Barkhuizen was also injured against the Bluebirds, after feeling a slight twinge in his calf in the warm-up, and is expected back at a similar time to Thompson.

Finally, Jake Rooney is nearing a return to first-team action after suffering a setback in the summer following tearing his ACL last September in a 2-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers. The versatile defender has re-joined his teammates in training, but there is no rush to get him back out on the pitch.

Seeing out the next two games without injury is imperative to Derby's season

The Rams have been extremely unlucky in the last year with injuries, and this season has been no different.

However, following this week, the Championship will have an international break that will allow Derby more time to nurse their players back to full health. But, before that, they have two more second division matches, starting with the Black Cats.

Queens Park Rangers make the journey up to Pride Park on Saturday, ahead of the second stoppage of the campaign, and if the Rams manage to make it through these next two games without more injury issues, then Warne will be very happy.

Compared to other sides in the second tier, Derby do not quite have the squad depth, and losing five of their playing staff has shown how much they do seem to be lacking in certain areas.

An injury to Craig Forsyth or Ebou Adams, who has recovered from a potential calf issue, could prove to be a fatal blow with the Rams already stretched at left-back and in midfield. However, the international break is coming at the perfect time, and Derby will be hoping they enter it with a solid points haul.