Boss hoping Max injury 'not a bad one' as scan on the cards

DERBY County head coach John Eustace is waiting to learn the severity of Max Johnston's injury.

- By LEIGH CURTIS

Johnston produced one of his best performances of the season in the 1-0 home win over QPR but had to be helped off the pitch with two minutes remaining.

The defender is now set to undergo a scan and Rams head coach Eustace said: "I was really disappointed for Max because, again, he is another player coming in and who's adjusting to the Championship.

"He's going to have ups and downs in his performances. As a 20-year-old to come in and play three games in a week, who's not used to the level, is a big ask.

"I thought his performance up until he got injured was good and I just hope it's not a bad injury.

"It's not good when obviously you get helped and lifted off the pitch.

"We'll have to wait and see on that.

"But again, it's another point to show that when you bring in young players from another country, from another level, and asking them to play at this intensity in one of the toughest leagues in the world, in my opinion, you're going to get, ups and downs.

"You're going to get injuries and, hopefully, it's not a bad one."

The injury cast a shadow over a consecutive victory for the Rams and Eustace described it as a "cracking win".