Albion's Aussie subbed off in crucial draw with Derby

Caltex Socceroos midfielder Jackson Irvine was replaced at half-time of Burton Albion's match on Wednesday morning (AEDT) with a groin injury, according to Ashley Wilkinson of the Burton Mail.

Irvine didn' return for the second half as the Brewers played out a crucial 0-0 draw with Derby County in the Championship.

While it was unclear at the time if there was an injury, Wilkinson - who reports on Albion matches - revealed one of Burton's coaches confirmed after the game that Irvine has a groin problem. 

With the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and UAE just a month away, coach Ange Postecoglou will be hoping the injury isn't too serious.

With the Brewers are locked in a tense relegation battle, the draw with the promotion-chasing Rams could be huge to their survival hopes.

While they remain in 20th position on the Championship ladder, they are now four points clear of the drop zone ahead of the weekend’s clash with second-from-bottom Blackburn Rovers.

Elsewhere in the Championship, Massimo Luongo watched from the bench as his QPR side held on for a 2-1 win against Wigan Athletic.