This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Derby County head back to action following the international break, with Phillip Cocu's side making the trip to tenth placed Charlton Athletic, looking to extend their unbeaten run to six matches as they look to get into the play-off mix.

Cocu is having to prepare for his next outing potentially without Krystian Bielik, who according to the Derby Telegraph, who has injured his thigh whilst on international duty with Latvia, and could miss the match against the Addicks.

Is this news a real blow for Derby ahead of the Charlton clash? Just how important is Bielik to the Rams side?

We discuss....

Ben Lang

"This is definitely a concern for Derby. Bielik has started to look much more settled in the side during Derby's recent unbeaten run.

"His ability to protect the back four at the base of midfield means he provides an essential balance to the Rams' game play, and he will surely be a key figure for Cocu throughout the campaign.

"Derby will be very much hoping Bielik can recover from his injury problem in time for the clash at The Valley, as he needs to continue this run of games in the side in order to build his form.

"The Charlton match would also be a big game for Bielik seeing as he played for the Addicks last season, while he will also be very familiar with many of Charlton's players and tactics."

Alfie Burns

“He’s important and that importance will grow over the season, especially with Richard Keogh out for a long time.

“To me, he’s a brilliant option at centre-back, but a little bit laboured in the midfield.

“Cocu has options at centre-back, but non are in the mould of Bielik, so he’s going to want him fit and raring to go.

“There will be plenty of fingers crossed at Pride Park with the hope this isn’t serious.”

Chris Thorpe

"This could be a very big blow for Derby.

"Bielik has impressed in his role as a sweeper since coming in this summer and would be a big miss against Charlton.

"Curtis Davies may well get the nod in his place, providing a very capable deputy.

"It will be interesting to see how they manage the situation if Bielik is ruled out."

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