He needs some football; he didn't play in the last few weeks of last season and it's too long and too much to ask of him Nigel Clough on Shaun Barker

Derby County defender Shaun Barker is likely to miss the start of the season because of his persistent knee injury.

Barker had surgery on his long-standing problem in May and is currently training but manager Nigel Clough does not want to risk rushing him back.

Clough told BBC Radio Derby: "We wanted to get him on the pitch but he hasn't responded as well as we hoped.

"You never know for Belper next Tuesday but if it's another week then we're conscious we have nine months to go."

Barker missed the 1-0 friendly victory over Premier League side Stoke City at Pride Park on Tuesday.

Chris Porter headed the only goal of the game but Clough says Barker's continued absence meant he is unlikely to feature in the season opener against Leeds at Elland Road.

And Clough added: "He needs some sort of football; he didn't play in the last few weeks of last season and it's too long and too much to ask of him."

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