Derby County suffered a double injury blow this week as manager John Eustace confirmed that defender Craig Forsyth will miss at least two months after sustaining a knee injury that requires surgery, while captain Lewis Travis faces up to five weeks out.

Forsyth hurt at Portsmouth

Forsyth, 37, went down during Tuesday's victory at Portsmouth and will see a specialist on Friday to establish what procedure he needs. Eustace gave no sugar-coating: the experienced left-sided defender will be absent "for at least a couple of months", leaving Derby short in that area of the pitch for a significant portion of the Championship campaign.

The timing is uncomfortable for the Rams. Forsyth brings defensive solidity and a wealth of second-tier experience to the backline, and his absence stretches Eustace's defensive options at a point in the season when consistency in selection matters most.

Travis scan brings better news

The news on Travis, however, proved less serious than Derby first feared. The captain picked up a knock during the 3-0 defeat by Swansea City, prompting concern about a potentially lengthy absence. Scans have since confirmed a timeframe of four to five weeks rather than anything more significant.

"Trav is going to be missing for four or five weeks, so it's not as bad as we first feared, which is great news for us as it's another experienced player that can come back and help the team over the course of the season," Eustace told BBC Radio Derby.

The skipper's return remains a key date in Derby's calendar. Travis provides leadership and energy in central midfield, and his eventual comeback will strengthen a squad navigating a demanding fixture run.

Eustace forced to reshape his options

The dual absences push Eustace into decisions he might have preferred to delay. With Forsyth set to undergo surgery and Travis unavailable for over a month, Derby must rely on other members of the squad to absorb the workload without surrendering the defensive solidity they need to stay competitive in the second tier.

The Rams have already been active in the transfer window this summer, and the depth of those additions will now be tested earlier than anticipated. Eustace will want to ensure the structure of the side does not shift significantly in the absence of two of his senior figures.

Derby's next fixture gives the squad a chance to respond, and the head coach will be looking to those around Travis and Forsyth to step up while both players work through their respective recoveries.

Frequently asked

How long is Craig Forsyth out for Derby County?
Craig Forsyth faces at least two months out after sustaining a knee injury at Portsmouth that will require surgery. He is due to see a specialist to confirm the exact procedure needed.
How long is Lewis Travis out for Derby County?
Derby captain Lewis Travis is expected to miss four to five weeks after scans on a knock he received during the 3-0 defeat by Swansea City.
When did Craig Forsyth get injured?
Forsyth was injured during Derby County's Championship victory at Portsmouth on Tuesday.