Rams dealt Davies blow

Davies: Out of run-in

Derby striker Steve Davies is set to miss the rest of the season with a foot injury.

The 21-year-old is set to undergo surgery on Friday to repair a stress fracture of a metatarsal and will miss the Rams' final eight games of the campaign.

The news comes as another disappointing blow to Nigel Clough who has seen his squad blighted by problems in recent weeks.

Davies is the fourth player to drop out of Derby's Championship survival bid, following hot on the heels of Paul Green (foot), Miles Addison (foot) and Dean Leacock (groin).

"It is another injury problem we could well do without and is a bitter shame as Steve was just starting to get some regular first-team football under his belt, which we believe he was benefiting from," said Clough.

"He will have his operation and then he will need to concentrate hard on getting himself right for the start of pre-season training - just like Miles Addison and Paul Green, who have had similar injuries."