TEAMtalk

Derby v Nottingham Forest preview

Monday 12-March-2012 16:54

Derby expect to have first-choice left-back Gareth Roberts available for the visit of their East Midlands rivals.

Roberts saw a run of 30 consecutive starts come to an end on Saturday as illness ruled him out of the home defeat to Watford.

Jason Shackell filled in for Roberts while Jake Buxton was recalled for only his second start of the season alongside captain Shaun Barker at the heart of the back four. But the Rams' reshuffled defence was breached twice in the opening 15 minutes as the Hornets recorded a 2-1 win.

Manager Nigel Clough said: "Gareth reported in ill on Saturday morning. It was just an overnight things and we expect him to be available to face Forest."

However, forward Jamie Ward will be absent for a fourth successive match with the thigh injury he sustained while on international duty with Northern Ireland last month.

Nottingham Forest will check on George Elokobi and Paul Anderson ahead of the short trip along the A52.

On-loan Wolves defender Elokobi missed the victory over Millwall on Saturday with a hamstring injury sustained during the defeat to Doncaster.

Anderson was set to be on the bench against Rovers last Tuesday until he hurt a thigh in the pre-match warm-up. The problem also kept the midfielder out of the Millwall game.

Manager Steve Cotterill, who has no fresh injury problems from the weekend, hopes the players will be available to play some part.

The derby at Pride Park was originally scheduled for February 4 only to be postponed due to heavy snow.