Derby County manager Phillip Cocu has suggested that both Mason Bennett and Graeme Shinnie will be out of action for the next few months, ahead of the Rams' game at home to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Shinnie, who has established himself as a key part of Cocu's side at the base of midfield alongside fellow summer signing Krystian Bielik over the last couple of months, suffered a hamstring injury during Derby's 1-0 win against Preston North End last weekend and will now be unavailable for the festive period.

Bennett is also set for a spell on the sidelines over the next couple of months, having suffered an ankle injury during the first half against Preston - and the 23-year-old's versatility of being able to play in a number of positions across the forward line will be a loss to the Rams over the next few weeks.

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Speaking to the media ahead of Derby's clash with QPR on Saturday, Cocu revealed that both Bennett and Shinnie are set to be out for a few months, and that losing Shinnie in particular will be a blow to the Rams' midfield, saying: "Both will be a few months - that is something we didn't expect to be so serious. We have a little bit bad luck with injuries.

"When we have one, in almost all cases it is a serious one.

"It is a blow for him, personally, but also for the team. He needed some time to get himself in the team.

"He worked extremely hard, listened to what we wanted of him, took a chance when he got it and became, together with Krystian Bielik, two very important players in the middle and in the heart of our squad."

The Verdict

You have to feel for Cocu, given the amount of injuries he has had to endure so far this season at Derby, and the loss of Bennett and Shinnie will be a real blow ahead of the congested festive period meaning the Dutchman will have limited options, especially in midfield to rotate his squad and keep players fresh.

Shinnie was just getting into his stride having really found some form over the last few weeks, having had to wait for his opportunity at the start of the campaign following his arrival from Aberdeen in the summer - and the Rams will be needing him to return to action as soon as possible to help bolster their midfield options and quality.

Bennett, meanwhile, has not enjoyed the best of starts to the season in terms of his form, but he is an invaluable option given his ability to play as a lone striker, in the number ten role and in the wide positions, meaning he has the potential to fill in for injured players - and Cocu will be wanting him to return as soon as possible also ahead of the second half of the campaign.