 Two months later, on 6 December, Clough stated he was unsure when Ward would return to the squad and stated his frustration at the injury.However, a day before Derby's game at Charlton Athletic on 29 December, Clough said that Ward was set to return to the matchday squad as a substitute after a three-month absence.Ward featured as a 68th-minute substitute and scored the equalising penalty in the 72nd minute in the 1–1 draw against Charlton.