Eustace retains Derby backing amid takeover fallout and mounting injuries

John Eustace’s position as Derby County head coach is not under threat despite a start that has left the club in the Championship relegation zone, according to BBC Sport. Derby have collected five points from eight matches, with Mo Fuseini’s late equaliser at Burnley preventing them from entering the international break at the bottom of the table.

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BBC reporter Nick Mashiter detailed the disruption following the collapse of Turki Alalshikh’s proposed takeover in August, an hour before it was due to be completed. Owner David Clowes remains committed to funding the club. However, there are differing accounts within Derby about how much the failed deal affected their transfer business after a summer spent preparing for the change of ownership.

Chief executive Stephen Pearce told BBC Radio Derby that the club had not lost any transfer business it wanted to complete. Eustace, speaking to the Derby Telegraph, said targets had to be reviewed and that Derby lost momentum in pursuing players once the takeover fell through. BBC Sport reported that Liam Millar and Ben Brereton-Diaz were among the forwards Derby wanted but did not sign.

Derby instead brought in Fuseini from Union Saint-Gilloise on deadline day. They also secured permanent returns for midfielders Bobby Clark and David Ozoh, paying £6m to Red Bull Salzburg for Clark and £4m to Crystal Palace for Ozoh. According to the BBC, Sammie Szmodics has already met the conditions that make his £2.7m move from Ipswich permanent. Last season’s loan agreements had contained no purchase options, requiring fresh negotiations.

Injuries have added to Eustace’s difficulties. Patrick Agyemang has been sidelined since April with an Achilles problem, while Carlton Morris has also been unavailable. Loan signing Henrik Meister was required to lead the attack before suffering a head injury against Birmingham. At the back, Matt Clarke is unlikely to return before December and Derry Murkin is expected to remain out until after Christmas.

Goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom is also out for six weeks, with Eiran Cashin sidelined as well. BBC Sport reported that Eustace has not been able to select the same back four in consecutive matches since August. Derby’s next fixture is at home to Wrexham on Saturday.