A friend asked me the other day how fellow Aussie Ruben Zadkovich was going at Derby this season. I could give no reply because it seems he has mastered the art of invisibility.

It has got to the point where it’s like one of those “Where’s Wally” books, every picture of the team training has me squinting wondering where “Where’s Zadky ?”. Plus without the silly hat or big glasses it makes spotting him even more difficult!

When I thought about it more there has been no mention of Ruben at all throughout the pre-season or since. He has not featured in the reserves to date so perhaps he is injured but I can’t remember him even being name dropped as an injury in any interviews with the manager or club staff.

After only getting a couple of games under Paul Jewell before injury, I assumed that it was injury again that had ruled him out of getting a run under Nigel. Now I am not so sure.

Rubens name is listed on the official site as a squad member along with many others that are yet to play for the first team and receive a squad number. That would (I assume) mean he is still a part of this years squad.

While on that subject of squad numbers, what is the deal with them this season. No squad number announcement (as big as fixture day if you ask me!), players just hanging about numberless, waiting for a chance to become numbered and not just names on a squad sheet.

I mean what if I or some youngster wants to get their hero Prijovic or Ojamaa on a shirt, are we just supposed to get 'TBA' printed and send it back later to be updated?

Sorry about that….I seem to have got off subject slightly.

Getting back to Zadkovich another option is he was another player not wanted by Clough but his name was never mentioned by him or Adam Pearson in any interviews regarding players they were looking to offload. Plus I wouldn’t think the boy would be on a very big salary and cancelling his contract would have been an easy option.

With all the searching for a right back and a bit of pace, if Ruben was fit he would definitely fit the bill. Jewell in his madness played the boy in central midfield and that was never going to work. He always did his best work for Australia on the right either on the wing or as at right back. Surely if fit he would be worth a go but I doubt he could possibly be fit as I have not even seen him in training pictures.

The assumption I have to make is that he has a long term injury and perhaps is sipping long island ice tea somewhere with Giles Barnes. No one in Derby really knew who he was in the first place so perhaps they don’t mention him because they keep forgetting about him as well.

It seems I am still no closer to providing an answer for my friend or for that matter my own raised curiosity. I am baffled as to what has happened to the boy and I can only hope his family and friends know where he is otherwise they too surely are by now quite worried.

If anyone has any idea what happened to Ruben Zadkovich please contact me here at RamZone so I can put to rest the minds of all Derby supporters who are now concerned for his welfare.

I would hate to have to alert the Australian authorities and list him as a missing person as it would bring unneeded scandal to Derbyshire. It could only hurt international relations between our country and the Rams especially after sending Mile Sterjovski and Andy Todd to Perth, this would only inflame things further.

Perhaps Ruben is reading this article. If you are, please let myself and all Australians know that you are ok and if so what is happening, is the big bad club not looking after you?

If we find that club is holding you against your will then a rescue mission will be organised immediately and be launched by at least the end of the year (these things take time!).

You can contact the "Where's Ruben" RamZone task force with any information by email or feel free to put 'lost' posters up around your local shops and parks.

It is time DCFC revealed the truth and only the fans can make it happen... especially one that lives closer than me and can wander down to the club and ask someone ... any volunteers?

Derby County News 24/7

Daniel J Sewart

Recent Stories

RSS Feed