Derby County are back in action this weekend when they tackle Sheffield United looking for a win that can kickstart their season

Derby County are back in action again this weekend when they face Sheffield United in an attempt to kickstart their season in the Championship.

A defeat to Stoke City at the weekend has left the Rams in the bottom three of the table, with a dismal opening to the campaign that has yielded just one win in 11 games.

Derby's cause has not been helped by a crippling injury crisis that has severely impacted their defence, with Sondre Langas the latest player to be impacted by a groin injury, ruling him out until January.

Jack Robinson has arrived as a free agent to help cover Langas' injury, and he could make his debut against his former club this weekend.

As part of the build-up to that game, here are the latest tidbits of news and gossip as the Rams prepare for their trip to Bramall Lane.

Agyemang boost

Patrick Agyemang has given Derby County a further boost as he pushes towards a return after joining the warm-up in training yesterday. The American has been out of action since April with a ruptured Achilles sustained in a win over Stoke City, but he is now on track to return in November.

Derby posted a video clip of the striker joining the rest of the players and said on Twitter: "Great to see you out there,

@Patrick_agyy. It may only have been for the warm-up, but fantastic to see Big Pat out putting smiles on faces at Moor Farm."

Agyemang was a big hit for Derby last season having scored 10 goals in his first season in the Championship following his £5.9m move from MLS club Charlotte FC. But disaster struck in April when he landed awkwardly while jumping to control a ball against Stoke which saw him carried off on a stretcher.

It ruled him out of the World Cup this summer but after undergoing surgery, he is now expected to complete a full return after the next international break in November. That will be a key time for Derby who are also expecting defenders Matt Clarke and Eiran Cashin back from injury.

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Phillips says Eustace can't wait for Agyemang

Former Derby County coach Kevin Phillips says John Eustace will be "desperate" for Patrick Agyemang's return following their hugely disappointing start to the season. Agyemang is working his way back to a full return and is expected to be back next month after he ruptured his Achilles in a victory over Stoke City last April.

Derby have sorely missed Agyemang's attacking contribution after he scored 10 goals last season and was the club's second top scorer after Carlton Morris.

With Derby languishing in the bottom three of the table, Agyemang's return cannot come quick enough and Phillips told BestBettingSites: "I think John will be desperate to get Agyemang back and get him in there and get him settled. Any manager, when you're having to rotate that front line all the time, it's not too healthy, because you want someone to just find a bit of form and consistency.

"So if you can get him back, he's certainly a player who offers that, and that'll be a big boost. Obviously, we know Derby are sitting, I think, second from bottom, so they haven't had a great start.

"They need someone up there now to start scoring goals to get them out of the situation they're in. And he's certainly a player that can do that."

Wilder hoping to make the most of Bramall Lane

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder is hoping to make the most of their return to Bramall Lane as they face Derby County this weekend.

United are currently 11th in the table after securing a 1-0 win over Bristol City at the weekend that has left them two points behind the top eight.

They will hope to inflict further misery on Derby this weekend before they host Wrexham a week later as they look to force themselves into promotion contention.

And Wilder said: "The schedule from the start of the season has been crammed. Wilder added. “And all the travelling you have to do. But hopefully we can take advantage of that coming back the other way.

“Because certainly there is an advantage and it's an obstacle that, if you want to be successful, you have to get over to have a decent points return. And two wins from three, knowing we should have had another result on Wednesday, is a decent return from a long and tough week.”

Brown's thriving

Dajaune Brown says his confidence is building as he continues to impress with League Two Rochdale.

The on-loan Derby striker has scored three goals in 12 games for Dale this season and bagged his most recent goal in a 1-1 draw with Tranmere.

Brown has become a key player for Dale, and he is quickly making up for a disappointing loan spell with Port Vale last season when they were relegated from League One.

And Brown said: “It’s a great feeling to break into scoring again.

“Getting on a little roll as well, it builds a lot of confidence in me.

“Coming here has helped to build my confidence and the style of play suits me as a player. Out on the training pitch, I get loads of help from the staff and players as well.”