Nathan Tyson could start against his former club Nottingham Forest when Derby host their East Midlands rivals.
Tyson has been plagued by a troublesome groin injury since his summer switch from Forest to Pride Park. He made his latest comeback as a late substitute in the FA Cup defeat to Stoke and then got a little longer from the bench against Barnsley in midweek.
His lively showing in just over half-an-hour at Oakwell impressed manager Nigel Clough, who admits the forward will come into his thinking for a place in the team on Sunday.
"He looked strong physically and a threat and it was a big boost towards the Forest game," said Clough. "Nathan is getting close to a start. If he comes through training this week we hope there is a good chance he will start."
Leading scorer Theo Robinson remains a doubt after missing the last two matches with the calf injury he suffered against Burnley 13 days ago but Paul Green will return to the squad after transfer deadline day passed without the midfielder leaving the club.
Recent loan signings Ryan Noble and Tom Carroll could make their home debuts. Forward Noble has yet to play at Pride Park since his return to the club while midfielder Carroll went straight into the starting XI at Barnsley following his arrival from Tottenham and netted his side's second goal in the 3-2 defeat.
Nottingham Forest are boosted by the return of captain Luke Chambers. Chambers has completed a three-match suspension and will go straight back into the heart of the Forest defence on Sunday.
He could be partnered there by either Danny Higginbotham or Scott Wootton, both of whom have moved to the City Ground on season-long loan deals from Stoke and Manchester United respectively.
Should Higginbotham get the nod, Wootton could be deployed in a midfield role.
The 20-year-old was often used in that position during his loan spell at npower Championship rivals Peterborough in the first half of the season.
If Wootton is preferred alongside Chambers, Higginbotham could be asked to play at full-back. Manager Steve Cotterill also has the option to recall midfielder Andy Reid and strikers Marlon Harewood, Marcus Tudgay and Dexter Blackstock.
Derby V Nottm Forest - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game live.
Source: PA
