Derby County vs Hull City - George Thorne missing for Derby's play-off campaign

Posted Friday, May 13, 2016 by PA

George Thorne's double leg break means he is an obvious absentee for Derby as they prepare for the first leg of the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final against Hull.

Thorne suffered the injury during the final game of the regular season at home to Ipswich last weekend and he is set to be out for around three months.

He is the only player unavailable to Rams head coach Darren Wassall as Jeff Hendrick and Bradley Johnson are fit again after their respective thigh and knee injuries and either could take Thorne's place in central midfield.

Goalkeeper Lee Grant, along with Hendrick and Johnson, played in a friendly match against Barnsley this week and he too is back in contention following his groin problem.

Tigers boss Steve Bruce is considering sending out the same XI that hammered Rotherham 5-1 last weekend.

After rotating his squad since securing a play-off berth, Bruce picked what looked a full-strength side against the Millers and was happy with what he saw.

Republic of Ireland international David Meyler has been out for four matches with a hamstring injury but is back in contention and could return to the bench.

That leaves Nick Powell (thigh) as the only injury absentee.