Derby County manager Frank Lampard has given an injury update on Tom Lawrence ahead of their visit to Sheffield United.
The Blades host Derby at Bramall Lane on Boxing Day in a game being shown live on Sky Sports.
Lawrence has not played for the Rams since picking up an ankle injury against Nottingham Forest on December 17. And it is good news for the Blades as well.
“He missed Bristol City with an ankle injury he picked up against Nottingham Forest and he won’t make Boxing Day,” Lampard told the Derby Telegraph.
“Hopefully we will have him back for the back-end of the Christmas period, but this game is too soon.”
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Will Lawrence be missed?
Lawrence has once again be a big influence for Lampard’s side this season. The 24-year-old has scored four goals in 20 appearances in the Championship.
This is Lawrence’s second campaign at Pride Park having signed from Leicester City in the summer of 2017. To date he has scored ten times in 65 games.
The fact that Derby will be without Lawrence will be a huge boost for United as they try and improve their own form. Their 2-1 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion last week saw Chris Wilder’s men drop below the Rams in the table to sixth.
The Blades have only won twice in their last ten matches, which now leaves them ten points off leaders Leeds United. They have struggled to beat the teams around them in the table in recent times. Victory over the Rams could be crucial in their promotion push.
In the absence of Lawrence, Lampard is likely to field Florian Jozefzoon and Martyn Waghorn either side of striker Dave Nugent.
With talented loan duo Harry Wilson and Mason Mount providing support from midfield, Derby are potentially very tricky opponents.