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RamBites: Hendrick's Return Is 'Class' As Rams Youth Lead The Way
Saturday, 16th Nov 2013 07:58 by Daniel J Sewart

Rams fans will be grinning ear to ear with the news that midfield dynamo Jeff Hendrick returned to full training with the first team late this week.

After showing some great form early in the season — continuing his rise from talented youngster to first team regular for the Rams, Hendrick was struck down by a foot injury in August.

If everything goes to plan from now on, Hendrick will have missed around 3 months of Football for Derby and a handful of International games that he would have likely taken part in for The Republic of Ireland.

Since Jeff was injured, much has happened on and off the field at the club, with a change in fortunes at home for the team, a new management / coaching team at the helm and by the time he returns to the first team, the stadium will have a new name!

The trick will now be to get his fitness right so that he can slot back into the first team again, probably via some youth games and maybe a couple of substitute appearances.

When Hendrick has returned to full fitness the interesting part will be where he slots into McClaren's plans. With Bryson, Ward, Hughes, Eustace, Dawkins and now Cisse all showing good form, if Hendrick does slot straight in, who will be the one to miss out?

With Russell also set to return soon, the competition for places is set to hot up and whoever gets the nod will have others breathing down their necks looking to grab their spot.

Whatever the answer, it is a great problem to have with early injury problems threatening to derail the Rams season at one point and it is great to see the likes of Davies and Hendrick on their way back.

Hendrick 'tweeted' his delight at being back on the training ground:

"First full session done today was class being back out there".

We think it’s ‘class’ having you back out there too Jeff.

One question - by ‘class’ I assume Jeff means great!?

I feel old...


Young Rams Lead The Way


After years of the international appearance here and there by Rams players (mainly because they weren't that good) - the youth of the club are leading the next generation towards having well known names from Derby, regularly representing their home countries around the world.

Our other wonder-kid Mason Bennett scored for the England Under-19s in a 4-1 victory over Hungary which means that Bennett and his international compatriots finish 2013 unbeaten at International level. It was Bennett’s 4th goal for the U19’s and every time he steps out for England now, he looks more and more likely to score.

Will Hughes earned his 5th Cap for the England’s Under 21s when he came of the bench with just under a half hour to play in a UEFA European Championship Qualifier against Finland. The U21’s were convincing 3-0 winners with Hughes showing his stuff in the time he had on the pitch as he pushes for a starting position against San Marino on Tuesday.

Central defender Valentin Gjokaj played a full game for the Albanian Under 21 side who triumphed 2-0 in their 2015 UEFA European Championship Qualifier over Hungary in Budapest. Gjokaj is likely to keep his spot for their home match football giants Spain next Monday in Albania.

Derby County's Under 21 left-back Rhys Sharpe was injured meaning he was spared the Northern Ireland Under 21s’ 3-0 defeat to Italy. He will be hoping to shake the injury in time to welcome Cyprus next Tuesday.

The only more senior Rams player on International duty, since Jamie Ward missed out through injury, was Craig Bryson. He made the bench for Scotland’s clash with the USA but was an unused sub come full time.

Gordon Strachan suggested Bryson may be in line for a call up against Oslo on Tuesday:

“Bryson and others on the fringes have a chance because not only do I want to have a look at them, I think they deserve a wee bit for what they are putting into training.”

And so he should be in line Gordon! Craig is in stellar form and frankly he should be a walk up start - being one of, if not the hardest working midfielder in the Championship.

Not that common sense has ever been a hallmark of your management career!

Sorry got a bit carried away there — good luck Bryso!




Photo: Action Images



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