Derby V Birmingham at The iPro Stadium : Match Preview

15 January 2016 09:34
Derby V Birmingham - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


George Thorne available again for Derby after calf injury

Derby have George Thorne back in the squad as they look to return to winning ways at home to Birmingham.

The central midfielder has missed the Rams' last two games due to a calf injury, brought on by a back problem, but he is now back in training and available for selection.

Richard Keogh suffered a broken nose during the midweek draw with Reading, which extended Derby's run without a victory to three Championship matches and saw them slip six points behind league leaders Middlesbrough, but the centre-half will play wearing a protective mask on Saturday - if selected.

Goalkeeper Scott Carson is "very close" to returning from the back injury that has seen him sit out the last nine games, according to head coach Paul Clement, and there is a chance he could be involved against the Blues.

David Cotterill and Neal Eardley are out for Birmingham as Gary Rowett's side look to close the gap to the top six.

Winger Cotterill suffered a tight hamstring in their 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend and missed Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.

Eardley picked up a knee injury in the same game and is also not expected to feature for Blues at the iPro Stadium.

Birmingham are four points behind the play-off spots and are unbeaten in their last three Sky Bet Championship games.


Source: PAR