Derby County manager Phillip Cocu has revealed that Krystian Bielik was withdrawn from his side's starting lineup for their at home to QPR on Saturday as a precaution.

Bielik had been named in the starting XI at Pride Park ahead of the game, but was withdrawn shortly before kick-off, with George Evans being brought into the lineup in the Pole's place, and Bristol City loanee Jamie Paterson moving onto the bench.

Explaining the decision behind Bielik's withdrawal from the starting lineup after the match, Cocu told the Derbyshire Telegraph: "It is not a big injury, he (Bielik) just said he wasn't 100% to start.

"He was scared he might have to come off after five or 10 minutes, and then we lose a substitute."

Revealing his thinking behind that call to take Bielik out of the side, Cocu continued: "I said 'if you don't feel good and there is a lot of tension, like Graeme Shinnie (who tore a hamstring in the previous home game), you get a hamstring or a pull and you are 12 weeks out'.

"We could not risk that with all of the games coming up and the injuries we already have. So we said to George (Evans) 'you start'."

Discussing the severity of Bielik's injury, the Rams boss concluded: "I think it is something in his hip which caused a lot of tension in his leg, and he couldn't move freely. He took the decision to say, when a lot of players would not have said anything."

On the pitch, an Eberechi Eze penalty on the stroke of half time cancelled out Martyn Waghorn's opener for Derby, ensuring both sides took a share of the spoils on Saturday, a result that leaves the Rams 14th in the Championship standings.

The Verdict

This looks like it should be a welcome relief for Derby.

Bielik has been a significant presence for the Rams since his move from Arsenal in the summer, so they will not have wanted to have seen him ruled out in the long term.

Cocu's comments here therefore, are encouraging for the club, since it suggests that Bielik may well be back in the side sooner rather than later.

With that in mind, the fact that Bielik has spoken up about the situation he found himself in on Saturday to prevent himself from doing any serious damage, just goes to highlight the responsibility and maturity that he is showing this season.