Several Rams close to fitness

JOHN Eustace says Carlton Morris and Dajaune Brown were left out of Derby County's preseason opener against Matlock Town merely as a precaution.

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The Rams drew 1-1 with the non-league outfit, with a goal from Harry Hawkins cancelling out Liam Ravenhill's penalty and had to play the game without any of their front-line strikers available.

Lars Jorgen-Salvesen has been sidelined for some time and Morris and Brown were not risked, after the former's transfer from Luton Town and as the latter aims to prove himself to Eustace.

Both are expected to be part of the Rams' training camp in Austria.

Eustace gave an update on injured players like Joe Ward, Sondre Langas, Ryan Nyambe, Salvesen, Curtis Nelson, Andi Weimann and Kane Wilson.

"They're progressing really well," he said.