Derby County specialist first-team coach Liam Rosenior has suggested that a return to action for striker Jack Marriott would be a real boost ahead of their game at home to Wigan Athletic on Wednesday night.

The Rams head into the game looking to recover from the 3-0 defeat they suffered at Charlton Athletic on Saturday, which saw Philip Cocu's sides five-match unbeaten run in the Championship brought to an end.

Marriott has been out of action with a muscle injury for Deby's last three matches, and the striker has only managed to start four of the Rams' first 12 Championship games this season due to muscle problems.

Speaking to Derby County's official website ahead of the meeting with Wigan on Wednesday, Rosenior suggested that Derby will asses Marriott to see if he can feature against Wigan and highlighted the importance of him keeping fit for the rest of the season.

"We just need to see how he is with his recovery from training and see if he is available for Wednesday. He trained really well. Chris Martin has done fantastic up front, and I think Jack is a different type.

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"I think you are always frustrated when any quality player is out injured, you want your players who can do something different, and Jack comes into that category. He is an outstanding footballer, great goalscorer. You want those players fit."

The Verdict

Rosenior is right to point out the importance of Marriott's return to first team involvement, with the striker capable of making a real difference in the final third when he is fully fit and on top of his game, having managed to score ten Championship goals in 36 games last season.

However, so far this term injury problems have meant he has only managed four starts, and he has only managed to record one league goal so far for the Rams, which is something Cocu's side will need him to improve if they are going to be able to improve their form and kick on this season.

If Derby were to have both Marriott and Martin fully fit and competing for places they would suddenly look to have real depth and quality in attack, but the ex-Peterborough man must first prove that he is able to stay fully fit for a long period of time, or the Rams might be forced into having to find other more reliable options up front in the transfer market.