Derby County have endured a frustrating start to the season, with the side languishing in the bottom half and they fell to a defeat to local rivals Nottingham Forest last time out.

So, some may say the international break has come at the wrong time for the Rams.

Instead of getting the chance to put things right immediately they have to think about that result for a few weeks now.

However, the break could have come at the perfect time for a few Derby players who will welcome the chance to switch their focus away from club football and come back refreshed for the game against Preston in ten days time.

Here we look at THREE players that could apply too...

Jayden Bogle

This was an obvious one. Again, it might be easy to deduce that Bogle would liked nothing more than a mid-week game to make amends for his error that lead to the only goal in the game against the Reds, however time away from the criticism should actually do him some good.

He will be kept busy with the England Under-20 side after he was selected to join the team on their trip to Portugal tomorrow afternoon. The travelling, playing and different social environment will all help Bogle quickly move on from that costly mistake and make sure that it is thoroughly put behind him.

Tom Lawrence

The attacker is enduring a tough time wherever he goes at the moment. As a result of his off-field woes involving Richard Keogh and Mason Bennett, he has suffered a considerable amount of abuse.

‘You should be in jail’ rang around the City Ground amid their recent defeat and could also be heard in their home victory against Middlesbrough.

After being called for national duty with the Wales squad, Lawrence will be able to enjoy two games without having to worry about these chants. It’s highly unlikely that Azerbaijan or Hungary will mock the 25-year-old and that will do him the world of good.

Plus, if Wales can win both games of their Euro 2020 qualifiers, Lawrence will be full of confidence an optimism and good spirits.

Scott Malone

 

Unlike the other two, Malone won’t be busy on international duty. He missed the 1-0 defeat to Forest due to an injury sustained against Middlesbrough in the game prior.

The international break has come at a good time for him only because it gives him more time to recover before Derby get back underway. He is currently competing for a starting XI spot with Max Lowe.

In the match at the City Ground, Lowe was Derby’s best performer and actually made more interceptions than any other player in the Championship during that gameweek. The more Derby games Lowe plays, the less favourable he might become.