Derby County’s Joe Ledley is set for an extended spell on the side-lines.
According to a report by the BBC, Derby County midfielder Joe Ledley has undergone hip surgery and is now likely to be out of action for at least the next two months.
The 31-year-old hasn’t featured for the Rams since August, with his last appearance coming in the 2-0 win over Preston North End – four days after he netted the opener in the 2-0 win over Ipswich Town.
While Ledley hasn’t performed badly for Derby this season, he has plenty of competition for places – with Bradley Johnson, Craig Bryson, George Thorne, Tom Huddlestone and George Evans all in contention.
Since Frank Lampard’s arrival as Derby manager in the summer, the former Chelsea midfielder has made lowering the average age of the side one of his top priorities, and his team selections reflect that.
Evans, a summer a signing from Reading, appears to be Lampard’s preferred option for the holding midfield position in Derby’s 4-3-3 system. The 23-year-old has recently overcome a knee injury.
With Bryson and Johnson featuring regularly and Evans back in the fold, Ledley has been pushed down the pecking order and his latest injury setback could leave him even further marginalised.
The former Cardiff City man’s contract at Pride Park expires next summer, and without the time and a run of games to impress, it’s unlikely he will be offered a new deal come the end of the season.
Ledley has made 30 Championship appearances for the Rams since joining on a short-term deal last season, but he may now have already played his last for the East Midlands club.
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