Will Hughes should be fit to return to action for Derby County once the international break is over, Rams coach Paul Simpson has said.

The 18-year-old pulled out of England's Under-21 squad for the upcoming qualifiers against San Marino and Lithuania earlier this week, but Derby are hopeful that he will return to action against Watford in 10 days' time.

"Apparently, it is something he started to feel maybe two or three weeks ago but he has been nursed through it," Simpson told the Derby Telegraph.

"It was obviously serious enough for the England doctors to send him back. We hope he will be fit for the next game against Watford."

Hughes scored the third goal last weekend as Derby ended their bad run of form at home by beating Leeds United in Steve McClaren's first game in charge.

Written by
Pascal Lemesre