Derby County star in emotional tribute to team-mate missing for personal reasons after scoring against Carlisle

DERBY COUNTY players paid an emotional tribute to team-mate Josh Vickers who was left out of the squad due to personal reasons.

The Championship side travelled to Carlisle with keeper Vickers out of the squad.

Derby County players paid an emotional tribute to team-mate Josh VickersRex

His team-mates paid tribute to him by warming up with “Josh 31” on the front of their tops.

And when James Collins opened the scoring, Derby players held up a jersey with “Vickers 31” on it.

Vickers’ absence from the side remains unknown with only “personal reasons” given for his exclusion.

The Rams came into the match in tenth with four wins from eight.

And manager Paul Warne admitted his side had been “stuttering” start to the season.

He added: “But it’s not like we are bottom of the league though is it?

“I appreciate everyone has expectations and expectations at a big club are louder, not bigger.

“They’re not bigger because fans of every club want their team to be in the top three.

“I do understand it has been a stuttering start but unfortunately that is the joy of sport. I am a sports fan myself and every fan wants their team to win every single game.

“There aren’t many who can do that. At the moment we have just fallen short of where we expected to be.

“I don’t expect us to win every single game, but I do expect us to have more points than we have got.

“In fairness, bar a late-minute goal (against Portsmouth) and feeling a little robbed at Bolton, we might have three or four more points and we’re sitting second.

“I know it’s all ifs and buts but you’re talking about the smallest defining moments possibly at our weakest point as well and not our strongest.

“I appreciate the fans who stay and clap the team because everybody here is pulling to help us be successful so I appreciate all the support we get.”

Derby manager Paul WarneRex