Paul Warne has welcome Derby County headache approaching v Cardiff City: View | OneFootball

Ben Osborn was struck down with injury following victory against Middlesbrough and missed the Rams' final two games before the international break.

Derby County's injury list has been fairly short so far this season, a welcome break for manager Paul Warne, who had plenty to deal with in the Rams' promotion campaign.

Despite this, their first summer signing, Ben Osborn, has been forced out of the team for Derby's last two Championship matches, with the 30-year-old having to watch on from the sidelines.

The versatile midfielder picked up a calf injury following the Rams' 1-0 victory at home to Middlesbrough in their first home fixture of the season, and despite being close to full fitness ahead of their last game against Bristol City, he was not risked.

Warne's team ran out 3–0 winners in that match, easing past a poor Robins side who failed to keep out a rampant attacking line.

Nevertheless, with Osborn expected to come back into the squad ahead of Saturday's clash with Cardiff City, the former Rotherham United boss has a tough decision to make over who he chooses in his midfield after several impressive performances before the international break.

David Ozoh and Ebou Adams have formed a superb partnership

Warne chose to run with the three of David Ozoh, Ebou Adams and Kenzo Goudmijn in Derby's last game, and it was a three that worked perfectly together.

The pace and power of Adams and Ozoh perfectly complimented the technical ability that Goudmijn possesses, resulting in the midfield trio picking up two of the three goals scored at Pride Park on that day.

The Rams have loaned in Ozoh from Crystal Palace this season, and he is already proving to supporters and the coaching staff at Pride Park why he has 10 Premier League appearances to his name at just 19 years of age.

The defensive midfielder has been dominant so far in black-and-white, and it will take a lot for him to be usurped from his position in the starting XI.

Adams is the perfect player to play alongside the 19-year-old, with his energy and tackling ability key to the workhorse nature of this Derby side. With Warne building his teams off of defensive strength, it would be recommended to keep the two together, and instead play Osborn in front of them if he is to come back in.

Osborn may have to wait in the wings on his return

After his first two appearances for Derby in the Championship, many expected Osborn to hold on to his place in the team for a while. However, his injury has disrupted his start to life at Pride Park, and he will perhaps struggle to re-enter the starting XI immediately.

Goudmijn proved before the international break why David Clowes sanctioned the £600k signing of the Dutch midfielder.

His movement on the ball and ability to pick out a pass makes him stand out compared to the Rams' other players, and he perhaps provides a quality that Osborn can not.

On the other hand, the energy that the ex-Sheffield United player brings will mean that he is more suited to games in which Derby have their backs against the wall, and they need somebody to chase the opposition down.

With his tenacity and desire to win the ball at every opportunity, the Rams are lucky to have Osborn, and he will play a key part in the coming weeks, whether that is off the bench or in the starting XI.