Carlton Morris Injury Update
Carlton Morris is one of the most important players in this Derby County squad. He has been scoring regularly in the Championship and has become the main source of goals.
So when he went off injured in the home game against Watford it felt like a big blow for the team and for the fans.
The injury happened early in the match. Morris had to leave the pitch after feeling pain in his knee and Derby brought on a replacement.
The game then slipped away from Derby and the night ended with a defeat and a new worry over their top scorer.
After the match John Eustace spoke about the situation. He said Morris was not in a good way and that the first signs were worrying.
He explained that the medical staff would send the striker for a scan to find out the full extent of the problem.
At first some supporters feared the worst. There were rumours online that it might be a serious ligament injury such as an ACL issue.
That type of injury can keep a player out for many months so the mood around the club was tense while people waited for more news.
A later update from a local reporter helped to calm some of those fears. They said that from what they had been told there was no ACL injury for Carlton Morris.
The medical team still needed the swelling to go down before finishing all the tests but this was at least a small bit of positive news.
Right now there is still no public confirmation of exactly how long Morris will be out.
Reports say Derby are preparing to be without him for a spell which suggests a short or medium term absence rather than just one game.
Until the club share a full scan result the timeline will remain unclear but nobody expects him to be available straight away.
On the pitch his absence creates a clear problem for Derby. He is their main number nine and leads the line with strength and good movement in the box.
Without him Eustace has to change how the team attacks and think about different options for the central striker role.
Several names have been mentioned as possible short term answers. Rhian Brewster can play up front and brings pace and finishing though he is a different type of forward.
Lars Jorgen Salvesen is closer in style to Morris and can offer a physical presence and hold up play if given a run of games.
There is also the option to push Patrick Agyemang or Ben Brereton Diaz into a more central role and reshuffle the players behind them.
For now the key facts are simple. Carlton Morris is injured and will miss some games for Derby County.
The issue is serious enough to need scans but current updates suggest it is not an ACL injury which is slightly better news than many first feared. The club and the fans are now waiting on a final diagnosis and a clearer return date while the manager works out how to cover for his goals.
Disclaimer
This injury update is based on the latest available reports from Derby County and local sources. The timeline for Carlton Morris' recovery is subject to change based on medical results and club announcements.
