Derby County Faces Setback as Eiran Cashin Out for Eight Weeks

Derby County have suffered a significant setback with defender Eiran Cashin ruled out for around two months with a calf injury.

The 22-year-old only returned to Pride Park at the start of the month, rejoining on loan from Brighton for the rest of the season after coming through Derby’s academy and racking up 144 appearances in his first spell.

John Eustace moved quickly to bring him back to anchor the Rams’ defence. Cashin went straight into the side, starting in back-to-back defeats against West Brom and Birmingham and playing almost the full 90 minutes in both games.

Then came the first warning sign. Cashin was missing from the matchday squad against Burnley, raising immediate questions over his fitness.

Those fears were confirmed by Eustace.

“Cash is out now for about eight weeks, he’s done his calf,” the Derby boss told BBC Radio Derby.

For a Derby team trying to steady themselves under a new manager and push up the table, losing a leader at the back so soon after his return is a harsh early blow. The question now is who steps up to fill the void while one of their own watches the next two months from the sidelines.