Derby County suffer major injury blow as goalkeeper crisis worsens ahead of Portsmouth visit

Derby County are facing a major goalkeeper injury crisis ahead of Monday’s visit to Championship rivals Pompey.

The Blues will hope to claim a home win against the Rams to boost their hopes of preserving their second tier status - and their chances of doing so have been boosted by the news Monday’s visitors have just one fit senior goalkeeper ahead of their trip to Fratton Park.

First-choice stopper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom is not expected to be fit following a virus that has kept him out of action since a 1-1 home draw against West Bromwich Albion in January.

That has allowed former Rotherham United keeper, Josh Vickers, to step into the starting XI in recent weeks - but he was forced out of the action during the closing stages of Tuesday’s home defeat against Millwall, after suffering what could have been a torn groin.

Vickers was replaced by third-choice keeper Richard O’Donnell and he is now expected to line up against Pompey at Fratton Park, with a Rams academy stopper likely to step up on to the bench.

Speaking after his side’s defeat at promotion contenders Millwall, Eustace said: ‘Josh limped off, and I think he may have torn his groin, unfortunately.

‘It is what it is. Richard O'Donnell came on, and he's performed very well for us throughout the season. It's an opportunity for him if Josh has to miss a few weeks. The injuries haven't been kind to us this season, but that is the Championship.

‘We don't moan about it, and every player that has performed up until now has been really solid. It's always about the squad, and we have a lot of injuries, of course, but you can see by the way we competed that it was excellent. Whoever puts on that shirt will be ready and prepared and won't let anybody down.’

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