Tyreece John-Jules: Derby County striker is 'the player Rams have been missing', says boss Paul Warne

Image source, Rex Features

Image caption, Tyreece John-Jules' loan deal at Derby ends in January

Boss Paul Warne says Tyreece John-Jules is "the player Derby have been missing" and is eager to keep the on-loan Arsenal striker at Pride Park.

The 22-year-old forward has scored two goals in his past two games for the Rams since returning from a leg injury.

John-Jules joined the League One side in August on a short-term deal from the Gunners, which runs until January.

"He's deadly in the box, but he's just strong and he gives us something different," Warne told 大象传媒 Radio Derby.

"If he keeps performing and staying fit, obviously I would like him to stay at the club.

"As a manager you see a player come off the bench and score two - I think he's the player we've been missing."

John-Jules marked his return from a two-month injury lay-off with the winner in a 1-0 victory against Port Vale, when he came off the bench to score with his first touch.

His late strike then rounded off a 3-0 win against Fleetwood in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.

He has only made four appearances in a Rams shirt so far and is still waiting for his first start, something Warne is still cautious to hand out due to John-Jules' injury history.

"We have to go really slow with him, history suggests that," Warne said.

"Although I want to get him in, I also know that if I put him in too soon or we're too risky with him then we could lose him and we don't want to do that.

"We're trying to help him build a career and help him play a big part at this club. If it's only 20-30 minutes for a few weeks then that's what it will be."

With John-Jules' loan at Derby running only until January, Warne is having discussions about extending that stay.

"My honest answer is we're taking every day as it comes," Warne said.

"We have discussed JJ (John-Jules) and I need to have conversations with him as well, but being a professional footballer is great if you're playing - but when you're injured it's horrendous.

"It's not his first rodeo - if you have that much talent you want people to see it, you don't want to see it in 10-minute cameos.

"The lads are buzzing for him when he scores and he understands how much we want him to play but he understands we have a real care for him.

"I want him to have a good career and help us out, I also don't want to break him so it would be stupid to make him run before we can walk with him."