Portsmouth rivals Plymouth see key midfielder ruled out until January as Sheffield Wednesday ace vents frustration and Derby weigh up free agents as defensive crisis deepens

Here’s the latest news that has caught our eye.

Plymouth key man ruled out until mid-January

League leaders Plymouth have received some mixed news on key man Finn Azaz.

Pilgrims boss Steven Schumacher has confirmed the on-loan Aston Villa midfielder will not require an operation on the ankle ligament damage he suffered in the recent win against Shrewsbury.

But the Republic of Ireland under-21 international will remain sidelined until mid-January after breaking his right ankle against the Shrews.

The 22-year-old has been an important player for Plymouth as they sit four points clear at the top of League One.

He’s scored six goals and recorded three assists for Schumacher’s in-form side.

Speaking to Plymouth Live, Schumacher said: ‘He doesn't need an operation. The ligament that they might have had to operate on is fine, but it's still going to be probably a 10-week job.

‘It's six weeks in a boot to let the fracture heal and then it will be strength work for the next few after that. Maybe the middle of January.

‘We just don't know how Finn heals and how he recovers.

‘I don't think he has had a serious injury like this before and we will see how he responds to his treatment and to his rehab programme. Fingers crossed it is sooner rather than later.’

Sheffield Wednesday utility player unhappy with his lot at Hillsborough

Versatile Sheffield Wednesday player Callum Paterson is finding life on the fringes of manager Darren Moore’s first-team frustrating.

The Scotland international said he’s unhappy with the situation after starting just four league games all season.

The 28-year-old, who has made more than 100 appearances for the club, feels he can still do a job for the Owls but wants game time to prove it.

Paterson told Yorkshire Live: ‘I have not enjoyed it one bit, to be honest.

‘It's not nice sitting and watching the games, especially when you have not done that in the past. I have played in numerous positions and helped the team out but it is a case of not being picked.

‘I have had to bide my time. I have shown I am still here and capable of doing a job.’

Warne weighs up loan options

Derby boss Paul Warne is weighing up free agents as he looks for a solutions to his centre-back problems.

At present, Richard Stearman will be the only recognised centre-half available for the Rams when they return to League One action against MK Dons next week.

Experienced duo Curtis Davies (knee) and James Chester (calf) are currently out injured, while Eiran Cashin will be suspended for the game after he picked up his fifth league booking of the season at Morecambe in midweek.

The Irishman will be back for the trip to Pompey on November 18, but Warne is worried that the injuries to Davies and Chester will leave him short in a key area.

A move for a free agent is a possibility, but the Derby boss, understandably, has his doubts.

‘I have looked at the free market in fairness and I am going to have to reconsider it,’ Warne told the Derby Telegraph.

‘Unfortunately anyone who is available hasn't trained, is over 30 so I am just layering another issue really.

‘I could get a player and I might have to now with the situation we're in. But I could get a player who I want for one or two games til the other ones come back.

‘Because it's Derby they might say I'll ask for this, I am not stupid and I won't overpay for someone.

‘What I don't want to do is hand out another contract until the end of the season, because that's what they want, which could stop me signing a 26-year-old I want to sign in January.

‘But it is getting to the stage where its needs must. We are limited in what we can do until the summer so it's a bit frustrating.’