Derby County face Leeds United in the Championship playoff semi-final.
According to Sky Sports, Derby County winger Tom Lawrence is in danger of missing both playoff semi-final ties with Leeds United as he is under review from the FA for potentially deceiving match officials.
The incident in question came during Derby’s 3-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion, where Lawrence was awarded a penalty in the second period in a game the Rams simply had to win.
At first glance it looked like Lawrence went over under no contact from West Brom defender Kyle Bartley, though other replays suggest there was a slight contact on the winger’s standing foot as he surged into the area.
The referee was only a matter of yards away and awarded the penalty, with Harry Wilson clinically dispatching to put the Rams 3-1 up and all-but seal a two-legged playoff date with old rivals Leeds United.
Lawrence has been an important figure for Derby this season. The 25-year-old has scored six goals and grabbed two assists. He was the Rams’ standout player against West Brom, recording four shots, four key passes and two successful take-ons.
Derby have other wingers such as Mason Bennett and Florian Jozefzoon who can come in on either flank, but boss Frank Lampard will be desperate for Lawrence to be available as he is in top form.
Leeds head into the playoffs having missed out on automatic promotion following three defeats in their final four games. However, they have a good record against Derby this season, winning 4-1 at Pride Park and 2-0 at Elland Road.
The Whites will be favourites over the two legs, and they could be boosted further should Lawrence receive retrospective action while striker Martyn Waghorn is also a fitness worry for the Rams.
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