Derby County’s desperate need for a goal-scoring spark is growing as their winless run in the Championship stretched to eight matches. The club sit 23rd in the league table with just seven points from 12 games, having scored only 10 goals all season.

Manager John Eustace has confirmed that the long-awaited return of forward Patrick Agyemang is in sight. "We hope that he could return shortly after the November international break," Eustace said. Agyemang has been sidelined since April with an achilles injury suffered against Stoke City. The 26-year-old made 37 league appearances last term, scoring 10 goals and providing four assists from various attacking roles.

Managerial caution on return

Eustace stressed the importance of not rushing the American star back onto the pitch. "They can not afford to rush him back," he warned. Losing Agyemang for an extended period would be a significant blow for a side already struggling to create chances. Derby have generated only 19 big chances this season, the third-worst tally in the division. The team's attacking metrics have plummeted without him, with a notable drop in successful dribbles and shots on target per game compared to last season.

The team's recent form underlines the urgency. Their last five results read DLLDD, with the most recent a 1-1 draw at Sheffield United where Bobby Clark scored. They have conceded 21 goals, leaving them with a -11 goal difference and 18 points adrift of leaders Middlesbrough. The attack has lacked a consistent threat from crosses, counters, or set-pieces in Agyemang’s absence, failing to score in four of those eight winless matches.

Derby finished a respectable eighth last season, narrowly missing the play-offs, but have become surprise strugglers this campaign. Agyemang’s athleticism and ability to occupy defenders were key to that previous success. The club invested a substantial fee to sign him last summer, underlining his importance to their plans. Eustace has also been without midfielder Max Bird for several weeks due to a hamstring strain, further depleting his options.

Attention now turns to halting the slide. The next fixture is a trip to face 13th-placed Millwall on October 31, followed by a home game against Preston North End. The manager acknowledged the team must be harder to beat and more clinical in the final third during this critical period.

Background and full detail: The72 - Football League News