McEveley started the 2009–10 season as Derby's second choice left back, behind new signing Dean Moxey. After only four appearances, McEveley fractured his cheekbone in the 20th minute of a game against Middlesbrough, which would potentially rule him out for six weeks. Shortly after his injury however, McEveley had an operation on his cheekbone, and was later revealed that during the operation, McEveley's heart had stopped beating for two minutes. McEveley was transferred to intensive care after his heart was successfully restarted and following a scan, doctors gave him the all-clear, telling him it would not affect his football. Alcock later said: