Cruel injury blow - Jewell

Derby boss Paul Jewell says the injury to Stephen Pearson is particularly cruel as he was just starting to find his feet in the side.

Midfielder Pearson has undergone a knee operation and could now be out of the side for up to four months and Jewell says it has come just at the wrong time for the player who had played four games on the bounce.

"Stephen just hasn't got going," Jewell told the Telegraph. "He missed part of last season and almost went to Birmingham. Then he had an adductor strain and worked hard to get back fit before picking up a knee problem.

"He scored in the draw at Swansea, played very well against QPR and then felt his knee against Birmingham. It is funny the way things work out. Stephen came off and Steve Davies went on and scored."