Eustace 'confident' in O'Donnell after Vickers blow

Richard O'Donnell has been backed by Derby County boss John Eustace to see out the season as the Rams' go-to goalkeeper after Josh Vickers become that latest shot-stopping casualty at the club.

Vickers was forced off late in Derby's 1-0 defeat at Millwall with a groin injury that is now expected to keep him out for up to eight weeks.

The 30-year-old had been called upon in recent weeks after first-choice keeper, and Sweden international, Jacob Widell Zetterstrom was struck down by a mystery illness.

Zetterstrom is still struggling to return to training, with Eustace saying "he is in a bad old way at the moment" when giving his latest update.

On Vickers, Eustace told BBC Radio Derby: "It's a big blow. Initially we thought it would be a real long one, but it will still be a majority of the season."

It leaves 37-year-old O'Donnell, a player who went almost nine years between Championship appearances before he made his Derby debut in January, as the club's most senior available goalkeeper as they attempt to reach the play-offs.

In between those Championship appearances, however, he featured 240 times at League One and League Two level with Rotherham, Northampton Town, Bradford City, Rochdale, Blackpool and Grimsby.

"We have full confidence in Rich, he has stepped up twice already this season and been outstanding," Eustace said.

"The way he trains and he applies himself every day in training means he will be ready for the remaining amount of games."

With Derby's top two keepers out, 19-year-old Jack Thompson will be promoted to the senior squad from the academy.

And while Thompson has yet to make a first-team appearance for Derby, he got experience playing for Braintree Town on loan in the National League earlier this season.

Eustace also said that there would be no option to bring in an emergency loan cover for as long as O'Donnell remains fit.