Derby County striker Dwight Gayle was expected to return to training today, raising hopes of his involvement in the upcoming promotion showdown against Carlisle on Saturday. However, manager Paul Warne remained cautious about Gayle’s participation in the crucial fixture.
Gayle has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since the victory over Bolton back in March. Despite his absence, Gayle has been an influential figure for Derby, scoring three goals since his arrival on a free transfer in February.
While Gayle has worked hard on his recovery and is eager to return to action, Warne has yet to make a decision on his involvement in the Carlisle clash. The manager indicated that Gayle would be put through his paces over the next couple of days to assess his readiness.
“I don’t know if he is fit enough to play a part,” Warne stated. “He is joining in today a little bit ahead of schedule because he wants to play a part, but so do another 20.”
Warne emphasized the need to consider the team’s overall situation and potential playoff scenarios before deciding on Gayle’s involvement.
“I also have to consider the fact that if results don’t go our way, I am going to need Dwight for the playoffs,” Warne explained. “If I think there is a risk in playing him or having him on the bench, then I won’t take it just to keep one player happy. It is about the team. I’ll assess him over the next couple of days and make a decision.”
Derby County needs just a point from the Pride Park clash to secure a return to the Championship, and Gayle’s potential return could provide a significant boost to their promotion aspirations.
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