Derby County boss reacts as major blow confirmed for Leeds United clash

Paul Warne will be forced into making at least one change for Saturday’s trip to Leeds United, with midfielder Ebou Adams suspended - but the Derby County boss is not feeling sorry for himself.

Adams picked up his fifth yellow card of the season during Derby’s 2-1 defeat at home to Sheffield Wednesday over the weekend, having scored the opening goal at Pride Park before his side fell to a late Owls comeback. The Gambian international has been almost ever-present in midfield, with only defender Curtis Nelson playing more league minutes.

David Ozoh would be the natural replacement but is yet to return from a muscle injury and while the Crystal Palace loanee was pencilled in for a return at Elland Road, a start may prove too risky. Warne isn’t even sure Ozoh will be available, but insists he has plenty of options when looking to fill the significant gap left by Adams.

"It is what it is," he told Derbyshire Live. "I am not going to lose sleep over it because it was going to happen sooner or later. It's an opportunity for somebody else. It's not like it is Ebou County FC and nobody else can play there.

"He's been good for us and obviously you want all your players available but the way he plays, and it's on the edge, we have to accept that. He is a big part of what we try to do. I thought Ben Osborn and Liam Thompson were great.

"We've got Kenzo Goudmijn and David Ozoh to come back although whether it will be in time for Leeds, I don't know. You don't want to lose players through suspension, but we lost Eiran Cashin through a ban and we still managed to breathe and walk. Hopefully, we will still be able to do that."

Derby will definitely be without Adams and defender Ryan Nyambe for Saturday’s trip to LS11, while Ozoh is the major Rams doubt. Warne’s side have lost their last two and won just one in nine, a miserable run that has seen them fall from play-off outsiders to lower mid-table.

They travel to a Leeds side looking to bounce back from just a third defeat of the season, with Todd Cantwell’s first-half penalty the sole goal during their trip to Blackburn Rovers. Daniel Farke’s side remain without long-term absentees Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev, while Sam Byram also missed Saturday’s trip to Ewood Park with a minor issue.