CASHIN RISES TO HIS TASK

Rams defender tackles Championship

- Chris Dunlavy

BEING short didn’t stop Fabio Cannavaro, Franco Baresi and Bobby Moore counting amongst the world’s greatest central defenders.

And Derby County’s Eiran Cashin isn’t going to let a lack of inches thwart his Championship aspirations either.

“I’ve never been the biggest,” admits the 22-year-old, who at 5ft 10ins is one of the most vertically challenged centre-backs in the division.

“Growing up, I always had people questioning my height, but I feel like I’ve always found solutions.

“Some of that is working with coaches to make sure that I’m as explosive as possible. With these really tall lads, you often find they can’t jump as high as you’d think. If you’ve got that spring and that power, you can still compete and win headers.

“Some of it is learning from senior players. Jake Buxton, who used to play for Derby and is now coaching here, wasn’t a massive centre-half. Neither was Des Walker, my old academy coach. They both took me under their wing and taught me little tips and tricks of the trade.