Derby captain Richard Keogh is set to be out of action for 15 months after rupturing two ligaments in a car crash caused by teammates Mason Bennett and Tom Lawrence, who were both charged with driving under the influence.
Keogh, who was a passenger, snapped hs MCL and ACL in the accident and is now poised to be on the sidelines until December 2020, according to reports.
Keogh will only have three months remaining on his Rams contract by the time he returns from action and manager Phillip Cocu says the skipper feels "extremely down" about the whole situation.
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"I've spoken to him. He was here [at the training ground] for a short moment and I spoke briefly to him because there's a lot going on," Cocu said, as per Sky Sports.
"He's extremely down, of course, because he realises what's going on for him personally and of course as a responsible player, as captain, to not be part of the team any more does something to you.
"I think he feels responsible, yeah.
"The more senior players always have to step up and take responsibility and it's now had a huge effect on him personally. It's a lot to deal with for him."
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Cocu says the squad went out bowling and then had a meal together on Tuesday night, with some of the players staying at the bar beyond 8pm, which is when the majority of the team left.
The Dutchman also confirmed that Tom Huddlestone will take on the captaincy in Keogh's absence.
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