John Eustace confirms exactly when David Ozoh could return for Derby County | OneFootball

David Ozoh has been absent since the 2-1 win over Blackburn in November

John Eustace has confirmed that David Ozoh is still weeks away from making his return to Derby County's first-team squad after suffering another injury setback last month.

The Crystal Palace loanee has not featured for the Rams since coming off in the early stages of the team’s 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers on 8 November.

Ozoh had started seven league games in a row prior to going off in the ninth minute of the game at Ewood Park, with a thigh injury keeping him out of action ever since.

The central midfielder's absence has coincided with a run of just one win in their last five games, which has seen Eustace’s side fall back down the Championship table after their sharp rise.

Derby will be hoping to turn things around before 2025 is out, as they aim for a top half finish in what is their second year back in the division, but their lack of fit options in the middle of the park is not giving Eustace an awful lot to work with.

John Eustace confirms David Ozoh return timeline for Derby County

Eustace has confirmed that Ozoh is set to miss the next three to four weeks, as he continues his rehabilitation back to full fitness, meaning he is likely to be out for the rest of 2025.

However, he’s also provided positive updates on Lewis Travis and Max Johnston, who are both much closer to making their return to the Derby squad amid this busy festive schedule.

"Ozoh's still, probably three or four weeks away,” Eustace told Derbyshire Live.

"Travis is getting closer to joining back in the group and it might be a week or so.

"Max Johnston is close as well. He's probably about one week to 10 days away as well.

"The sooner we get the squad back fit, the better, especially with a lot of games coming up.

"We're looking forward to that."

Derby have dropped to 15th in the Championship table with their recent run of form, leaving them four points adrift of the play-off places.

The Rams have failed to win any of their last three games, including defeats to Leicester City and Middlesbrough.

Eustace will be hoping the imminent returns of Travis and Johnston will help the side get back to winning ways, with the club still playing six more league games between now and January 4.

David Ozoh injury has hurt Derby County - John Eustace needs his midfielders back ASAP

Having already spent most of last season on the sidelines when on loan at Pride Park due to hamstring and thigh injuries respectively, Ozoh hasn't had much luck - and that's continued into 2025-26.

He had a slow start to the season anyway as he failed to establish himself in Eustace's starting 11, but between Charlton away in late September and Blackburn away in early November when he had his latest setback, Ozoh was in good form and rude health.

His absence has been felt in the last few weeks though, as well as the loss of Travis too, and Eustace will be keen to have them both back in the squad as quickly as possible.

Losing him through the festive period has been particularly painful given the number of games being played in this time., but even if Ozoh won't be back yet, at least Travis is nearing a return, so that will bolster the side’s midfield options in the meantime.