Rams' teenage ace aims to prove fitness Will Hughes has a good chance of being fit when Derby resume npower Championship action against Blackburn at Pride Park. Hughes felt some discomfort in the back of his knee during the goalless draw against Brighton prior to the two-week international break and did not reappear for the second half of that game, but the 17-year-old midfielder trained on Wednesday. The Rams are hopeful that Gareth Roberts will also be available, but goalkeeper Frank Fielding and top scorer Jamie Ward look set to remain sidelined by injury. Roberts and Ward missed the visit of Brighton with hamstring problems while Fielding was ruled out of the fixture because of a groin complaint. "Will and Gareth have the best chance, Will should be okay," said manager Nigel Clough. "With Jamie and Frank, we have to be a bit more careful because we can't afford to lose them for a longer period. Those two are doubtful but we are hoping Gareth will be okay." Adam Legzdins came in for Fielding against Brighton and marked his first appearance of the season with a clean sheet while James O'Connor stepped in for Roberts at left-back. Theo Robinson has started the last two games in Ward's absence. Blackburn are expecting to be without Simon Vukcevic and Fabio Nunes after the duo picked up injuries on international duty. Montenegro international Vukcevic returned to Rovers' Brockhall training base with a groin problem while winger Nunes suffered a hamstring strain when playing for Portugal Under-21s. Martin Olsson also suffered a mishap while representing his country, going down with food poisoning while away with Sweden, but the full-back is expected to be fit to face the rams. Striker Jordan Rhodes and defender Grant Hanley returned early from the Scotland set-up with respective ankle and groin injuries but are also set to feature. Markus Olsson (hamstring) remains on the sidelines, but caretaker boss Eric Black, searching for a first win at the helm in his fourth match, said: "Markus unfortunately is still out so he won't be travelling with us. But we are hopeful in the next 10-12 days that he might re-join the group."
Source: PA
