Martyn WaghornMartyn Waghorn
Martyn Waghorn | Getty Images
All eyes will no doubt be on Preston North End’s FA Cup quarter-final contest against Aston Villa this afternoon.
Paul Heckingbottom’s men welcome the Premier League outfit to Deepdale, with a place in a semi-final trip to Wembley up for grabs.
However, the Lilywhites’ focus will have to quickly return back to Championship action when they take on relegation-scrapping Derby County on Wednesday evening.
Indeed, there is a new face training with the the Rams ahead of the midweek trip to Lancashire. John Eustace has turned to Martyn Waghorn to aid their survival fight, with the 35-year-old set to come out of retirement to return to Pride Park less than a year after departing.
As reported by Sky Sports News’ chief reporter Rob Dorsett, the former Rangers striker is training with Derby to help ‘galvanise’ the side but there are currently no plans to register the 35-year-old in the 25-man squad.
A post on X read: ‘Martyn Waghorn has come out of retirement to try to help Derby avoid relegation. 35-yr-old retired in Feb but is training with Derby again. Eustace thinks his experience could help galvanise his squad. No plans currently to register Waghorn as a player for final 8 games.’
Waghorn called time on his playing career in February after his short-term deal at League One side Northampton came to an end in December. This saw the experienced frontman score one goal in eight appearances in all competitions for the Cobblers.
The prolific striker returns to Pride Park for the third time in his career, where he totalled 37 goals in 150 outings during his previous two spells. Waghorn has appeared for 12 different clubs and amassed more 450 league appearances in the EFL and SPFL.
Derby utilising the free-agent market ahead of Preston game
John Eustace has already signed two free agents following his appointment in February.John Eustace has already signed two free agents following his appointment in February.
John Eustace has already signed two free agents following his appointment in February. | Getty Images
It’s not just the forward who Eustace has called on in recent weeks, with the head coach already utilising the free-agent market to bolster his squad.
Experienced striker Kemar Roofe completed a free transfer move to Derby in February and has already registered two Championship outings off the bench to date.
Meanwhile on Friday, the Rams confirmed their second arrival following the closure of the January transfer window, with veteran defender Erik Pieters joining on a short-term deal until the end of the campaign.
The 36-year-old, who’s had spells at West Brom, Burnley and Stoke, was recruited to add much-needed experience to the Rams’ squad ahead of a vital run-in and could be included in Wednesday’s contest against Preston.
Derby currently sit three points adrift of safety in 22nd following Saturday’s fixtures, which saw victories for Stoke, Luton and Portsmouth in the fight for survival.
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