Derby V Rotherham at The iPro Stadium : Match Preview

08 August 2014 09:31
Derby V Rotherham - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Buxton set to miss out for Rams

Derby could be without Jake Buxton against Rotherham.

Buxton is nursing a hip flexor problem as last season's Sky Bet Championship play-off finalists prepare to get the new campaign underway at home to the newly-promoted Millers.

Zak Whitbread (cracked rib) is also a doubt and Mark O'Brien (ankle) is injured, so Craig Forsyth may have to partner Richard Keogh in central defence with Lee Naylor coming in at left-back.

The Rams were dealt a huge blow last month when midfielder George Thorne suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury. He is set for around nine months on the sidelines but fellow summer signings Cyrus Christie, Leon Best and Omar Mascarell are all in contention.

Rotherham will be without Frazer Richardson for their first game back in the second tier since 2005.

Richardson, one of 12 summer signings made by boss Steve Evans following the Millers' promotion last season, suffered a foot injury in pre-season and will not feature at the iPro Stadium.

Another new face, Febian Brandy, is also unlikely to be involved as he battles to be match fit after playing no part in the last two friendlies.

Evans otherwise has plenty of decisions to make with regards to his starting XI as he has practically two players battling it out for every position.

The Scot will not name his team until 2pm on Saturday and has warned his promotion-winning heroes from last season that they are not guaranteed a shirt.


Source: PA