Derby County face a severe defensive shortage with only one fit centre-back available for Saturday's Championship trip to Sheffield United. Head coach John Eustace has moved to address the crisis by signing defender Jack Robinson on a free transfer until January.

The Rams sit 23rd in the table with just six points from 11 games, their latest setback a 1-0 home defeat to Stoke City last weekend. With a record of one win, three draws and seven losses, they are 17 points adrift of leaders Swansea and have conceded 20 goals, the third-worst defensive record in the division.

Defensive injury crisis

Centre-backs Matt Clarke, Eiran Cashin and Sondre Langas are all sidelined, with Langas ruled out until January due to a groin injury. All three of the club's specialist left-backs are also injured, leaving Eustace with minimal options at the back.

Robinson, who was without a club after leaving Birmingham City in early September, has been brought in on a short-term deal. The 32-year-old completed a full pre-season with Birmingham but has not played a competitive match since April. He has previous experience with Liverpool and left Sheffield United just over a year ago.

Eustace has not ruled out Robinson making his debut at Bramall Lane, though the player himself has downplayed that possibility, citing his lack of match sharpness.

Sheffield United challenge

The immediate task is a visit to 11th-placed Sheffield United, managed by Chris Wilder. The Blades are two points outside the top eight following a 1-0 win over Bristol City and will host Wrexham in the Carabao Cup a week after facing Derby.

Derby won 3-1 at Bramall Lane last season but head into this match in poor form, winless in their last seven league outings and having lost five of those games. Their recent fixtures show a run of LLDDL, with heavy defeats at QPR and at home to Stoke.

Boost for the attack

There is better news further forward, with striker Patrick Agyemang expected to return from a ruptured Achilles in November. The forward, who joined from Charlotte FC, scored 10 goals in his first Championship season before suffering the injury in April. His return will be a major boost for a side that has scored only nine league goals this term.

Another forward, Dajaune Brown, is building confidence during a loan spell at League Two Rochdale. Brown has scored three goals in 12 appearances, including one in a recent 1-1 draw with Tranmere, a marked improvement on a disappointing loan with Port Vale last season.

Derby County's focus is firmly on halting their slide at Sheffield United on Saturday, October 24. The club's current standings position underlines the urgency for a positive result.

Background and full detail: derbytelegraph.co.uk