Derby County captain Richard Keogh has been ruled out for the season with a serious knee injury after he was involved in the car collision on Tuesday night that saw his team-mates Tom Lawrence and Mason Bennett charged with drink-driving.

Keogh has suffered a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury and further damage to his knee and could be out of action for up to 12 months after it emerged he was a passenger in the back seat of Lawrence's Range Rover Sport which crashed into a lamppost just before midnight.

The details of the collision on the A6 in the Allestree area of Derby are still emerging but the club has issued a withering statement criticising the trio for their actions, promising they will pay a “heavy price” after a “rigorous” internal investigation.

The Derby squad had been on a club-sanctioned night out, agreed by head coach Phillip Cocu to build team morale, before the crash took place.

The squad were drinking in the Joiners Arms in Quarndon after an afternoon of bowling in the city centre, with Keogh, Bennett and Lawrence staying at the bar while most of the other players had left.

Tom Lawrence and Mason Bennett were arrested at the scene credit: Getty Images

Bennett, 23, and Wales international Lawrence, 25, were allegedly racing each other on the A6 road before the crash, with the pair then arrested by police and charged with drink-driving.

It has also been alleged that Keogh, who does not drive and has never passed his test, was not wearing his seat-belt when the collision occurred.

Derby's statement read: "As a club, we cannot, and do not, condone the actions of a small group of players on Tuesday evening.

"The players were out as part of a scheduled team-building dinner with staff and while the majority of them acted responsibly and left at around 8pm and were not involved, a small group, including the team captain Richard Keogh, continued drinking into the night. They should have known when to stop and also ignored the opportunity to be driven home using cars laid on by the club, and chose to stay out.

"As a result of an alcohol-related incident, Richard Keogh has sustained a serious knee injury that will prevent him from playing until the end of the season.

"The players involved in the incident on Tuesday evening will be subject to a rigorous internal investigation under the club’s code of conduct and disciplinary procedures, but over and above any punishment they receive we will be expecting them to become involved with the excellent work the Community Trust does helping the communities we serve.

Coach Phillip Cocu says there will be consequences for the players credit: PA

"We have been very clear about our attitude towards alcohol and the players know that at certain and specific times of the season they are permitted a drink together as a group in a controlled environment.

"Those involved in Tuesday’s incident know they will pay a heavy price for their actions, but also that we will support them with their rehabilitation back into the squad and team."

The club intend to establish exactly what happened in advance of the court hearing for Lawrence and Bennett next month and an investigation is underway, conducted by furious chairman Mel Morris and Stephen Pearce, the chief executive.

Keogh, 33, is already reflecting on the end of his season after a scan on his injuries following the collision. The Republic of Ireland international is a stalwart of the club with eight years’ service and more than 350 senior appearances, while he has played every minute in the Championship so far this season.

Cocu, appointed as Frank Lampard’s successor in July, said: "Some senior players made a very bad example and a very bad choice. They made a big mistake and there will be consequences, of course.

"I've spoken to Richard briefly and he is extremely down. He realises what has gone wrong for him personally, he feels responsible. It will have a huge effect on him personally. It is bad news for the whole team.

“We can’t accept players not taking responsibility towards themselves, the team and the club.”

Cocu revealed that a decision on Lawrence and Bennett's involvement for Saturday's home game against Birmingham will be made on Friday, while midfielder Tom Huddlestone will replace Keogh as captain.