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Boss Paul Warne hopes Derby County will avoid having "horrific news" confirmed when Nathaniel Mendez-Laing undergoes scans on a hamstring injury.

The winger limped off in Saturday's defeat by Northampton, but it was not clear if he pulled the muscle or if it was an impact injury suffered in a tackle.

Warne expressed his concern at the same time that he confirmed injured forwards Dwight Gayle and Tom Barkhuizen would miss the next three weeks.

"It's a big blow," Warne said.

Talking to ���˿��� Radio Derby, the Rams boss continued: "We've gone from a dynamic front three to a two with a midfielder.

"The bad performance [at Northampton] is intensified by the fact the Nat is out, he has done his hammy. That is horrific news.

"It makes the bad day feel even worse.

"I don't know if he took a knee to the hammy, which I hope is the case, or if he has pulled his hammy.

"If he has pulled his hammy, it could be season over which is a massive blow, so we have to assess it on Monday and play with the cards we have been dealt."

Mendez-Laing has been instrumental for second-placed Derby, producing 16 assists to go with the eight League One goals he has scored.

Barkhuizen has contributed six goals and assists himself, while former Crystal Palace and Newcastle striker Gayle has scored three goals in six games since joining the Rams in February.

Derby's leading scorer James Collins, however, could feature again before the end of the campaign as he is "back fit" after recovering from what was feared to be a season-ending knee injury.

"This sounds negative, but if we were in the play-offs, they [Gayle and Barkhuizen] probably be fit for that," Warne said.

"I'd have a great squad for the end of April, but between then and now we have to try and work out a way to play and take the chances that we get."