The Ivory Coast centre-back was forced off with an ankle injury late on in the home victory over Barnsley last weekend. Boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is considering recalling club captain Matt Oakley to face his former club.
The midfielder has started only four games since the Swede took charge in October. However, Eriksson has turned to the 33-year-old to make an impact as a substitute in recent games and the manager has hinted he may call upon Oakley at Pride Park.
"He took the bad medicine to sit on the bench but he is working harder and harder to show me I am wrong," said Eriksson.
"He is clever. He came on in the last two games and was fantastic. He calms everything down. On Saturday we kept the ball better when he came on. He is technically good and he also has plenty of experience."
If Oakley gets the nod, Japan international Yuki Abe will make way.
Source: PA
