Derby County manager Phillip Cocu has provided an update on the injury picked up by Krystian Bielik in the 2-0 win over Middlesbrough at the weekend.

The Rams picked up their third win in their last five games on Saturday afternoon, with a Tom Lawrence brace securing an invaluable victory over struggling Boro.

Cocu's side were certainly helped by a red card in the first half of the encounter - Boro midfielder George Saville dismissed for a high challenge on Rams midfielder Bielik after 32 minutes.

Bielik did play on until half-time, but was taken off in the 53rd minute to be replaced by George Evans.

Ahead of their trip to the City Ground to face arch rivals Nottingham Forest next week, Derby fans will be praying that the former Arsenal man is available for the short trip down the A52.

Speaking to Rams TV, Cocu provided an update on Bielik's fitness, saying: "He has a little bit of pain still in his ankle but he could go on in the second half.

"He had one more hit and I think it was his hip or his thigh and I didn’t want to take any chances and it was good to get George Evans back on the pitch after some time out."

After their win over Jonathan Woodgate's side, Derby have climbed up to 15th spot in the Sky Bet Championship table.

The Verdict

Bielik was excellent for Derby at the weekend, providing real defensive steel in midfield and giving them a real base going forward.

It was a nasty challenge and I was actually quite surprised that he played on, but it was undoubtedly the right decision to take him off in the second half.

He will be so important for them as they prepare to take on Forest next week - it's likely to be a tight, scrappy affair between two bitter rivals, and they will need his type of player.

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