Derby County's Rhian Brewster Out With Concussion for Two Matches

Derby County will be without forward Rhian Brewster for at least their next two matches after the striker suffered a concussion in the defeat to West Ham United.

The 26-year-old lasted just 22 minutes of Saturday’s 3-0 Championship loss before he was forced off, a setback that cuts short his first meaningful run of games in a Derby shirt this season. He has featured in all five of the Rams’ league fixtures so far, starting the last two as John Eustace began to lean on him as a key part of his attack.

"He's feeling a lot better, he was really groggy on Saturday night, he felt dizzy and sick during the game," the Derby boss told BBC Radio Derby, underlining the seriousness of the head knock.

The manager did not hide his frustration at losing a player he believes can be a difference-maker at this level.

"It's a big blow because I was really excited to give him a run of games - he's a top performer at this level and he needs to get fit and get games under his belt so it's a shame now for him to miss another couple."

With concussion protocols ruling Brewster out of action, Derby must quickly adjust. They host West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, 9 September (19:45 BST), a key early-season test that Eustace will now have to navigate without the forward he had just started to build around.