Patrick Agyemang's hopes of featuring at a home World Cup for the United States could be in doubt after the Derby County striker was forced off injured in the Rams' victory against Stoke City.

The 25-year-old was visibly emotional as he left the Pride Park pitch on a stretcher, having collapsed to the ground clutching his left ankle after landing awkwardly when bringing the ball down on his chest.

Agyemang came off the bench in his country's two most recent internationals, scoring in their loss against Belgium before again featuring in the defeat by Portugal.

Jaydon Banel came on as Agyemang's replacement against Stoke just before the break and scored a second-half opener, before Carlton Morris doubled the advantage as the Rams moved to within a point of the play-off spots.

Agyemang has played a vital part in establishing Derby as promotion contenders, finding the net 10 times since making his move from Major League Soccer side Charlotte last summer, and any serious injury to him now would come as a blow for both his club and country.

Morris, who was Derby's most reliable source of goals earlier in the season before injury sidelined him for almost three months, was their brightest attacking threat before the break.

He slammed an effort off the post and helped create a one-on-one chance for Ben Brereton Diaz in quick succession, while Stoke had Syd Agina to thank midway through the first half when the teenager came up with a brilliantly-timed challenge in the box to deflect a shot from Morris wide.

And when a second-half cross sailed just beyond Morris' reach, it fell perfectly for Banel to pounce on to break the deadlock.

Derby's Bobby Clark spectacularly volleyed another shot off the post, before keeper Gavin Bazunu smothered Brereton Diaz's follow-up effort.

Stoke offered little in response, and failed to register a shot on target, as Derby eventually secured the win.

Morris' goal was his 11th goal of the season and first since an injury setback in November.

Derby County head coach John Eustace told BBC Radio Derby:

"I thought it was an excellent performance today. The boys were top drawer from start to finish.

"Obviously after Friday night and the effort they put in against the best team in the league [Coventry City] was outstanding, and to come away with nothing was really disappointing.

"We could easily have turned up today feeling a little sorry for ourselves, but the way the lads really stepped on and were on the front foot, the football we played today was outstanding."

On Patrick Agyemang's injury: "Pat's gone off and gone for a scan, so we will have to wait and see.

"We don't want to see any player going off on a stretcher, and we don't want to lose our best players, so let's see how long it will be."

Stoke City manager Mark Robins told BBC Radio Stoke:

"How did I see the game? It was a nothing first half, but they had better chances than us.

"On Good Friday it was a really good win. Then coming into this one as we come to the end of the season, I'm looking for more.

"And really, I'm left disappointed because we've certainly not done enough with the ball, but we have looked passive, which isn't us – it shouldn't be us and can't be us. And we left ourselves open to that defeat, and that is a concern.

"After a game where we've had to work hard, even against a Sheffield Wednesday side that has been struggling, we win the game and we have to bounce onto the next one, and we don't or can't do that.

"It is really difficult to win any game of football in any division, and the Championship is brutal, but you certainly have to match the opposition in terms of fight, and we haven't got that.

"We just haven't got that at this stage and the players who have got that just looked like they weren't at the level of Derby's players."