The January signing from Middlesbrough came on for the final 18 minutes of Derby County’s 0-0 draw with Burton Albion.
Derby’s David Nugent applauds fans
He’s scored 103 Championship goals, been promoted in each of his previous two campaigns at that level and cost £2.5 million in January. Yet David Nugent still cannot get a start for Derby County.
The 31-year-old made only his fifth Rams appearance on Tuesday night, stepping off the bench 18 minutes from time as Steve McClaren’s men looked to snatch a winner at home to struggling local rivals Burton Albion.
It proved a fruitless cameo, albeit one which left many Derby fans wondering what might have been had Nugent had longer to do his thing.
In fairness to McClaren, the striker he started in place of Nugent, Darren Bent, was very much the man in form, having scored six goals in his previous five league outings.
Bent, though, was guilty of squandering the game’s best an easiest chance shortly before the break, inexplicably firing over an empty net from only a few yards out.
Derby’s Darren Bent hangs his head
So will Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa bring changes? Some Derby County supporters certainly hope so:
Should Nugent start for Derby County at Villa Park?
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