Ward back in reckoning
Jamie Ward could return to the Derby squad for the visit of Middlesbrough.
Ward missed Sunday's win at Wigan - a third straight Sky Bet Championship victory for the Rams' which saw them climb into the play-off positions - with a knee problem, but the forward trained on Tuesday and has a chance of coming back into the reckoning.
Midfielder James Bailey (knee), defender Mark O'Brien (knee) and goalkeeper Adam Legzdins (ankle) got minutes under their belts last week in the development squad and the trio were set to continue their return to fitness with another run-out for the Under-21 side on Tuesday afternoon.
The game against Boro will be the last before Pride Park officially becomes known as the iPro Stadium.
Middlesbrough will be without two key men through suspension for the trip to face former boss Steve McClaren.
Keeper Jason Steele serves the second game of his three-match ban following his sending-off in the 2-1 defeat at Leeds, so loan signing Shay Given is set to deputise once again.
Steele will be joined on the sidelines by midfielder Grant Leadbitter, whose late penalty against Bolton on Saturday handed new manager Aitor Karanka the first win of his reign.
Leadbitter collected his fifth booking of the campaign at the weekend and will serve a one-match ban at Pride Park.
Source: PA
Source: PA