Derby's new loan signing Frank Fielding will go straight into the squad for the home clash with Preston.
The England Under-21 goalkeeper has been drafted in from Blackburn for an initial month following injury to first-choice Stephen Bywater.
Bywater, an ever-present this season until this point, suffered a wrist fracture in training last week and will be out for at least a month. Fielding will vie with Saul Deeney for a place in Nigel Clough's starting line-up.
Paul Green, also an ever-present this season, is doubtful after a hamstring problem saw the midfielder substituted during the first half of the Republic of Ireland's draw in Slovakia on Tuesday night.
Defenders Russell Anderson (groin) and Gareth Roberts (hamstring) featured for the reserves this week to put themselves in contention for recalls, while on-loan striker Shefki Kuqi comes back into the reckoning after being ineligible to face his parent club Swansea a fortnight ago.
Preston boss Darren Ferguson is set to be boosted by the return of on-loan Manchester United duo Matty James and Josh King, but Darel Russell is suspended.
Midfielder James has recovered from a damaged tendon in his ankle, while King resumed training last week after a month-long absence with an ankle ligament injury.
Both players look certain to be passed fit to face the Rams.
However, Russell must serve a one-match ban following his red card against Reading last time out.
Winger Keith Treacy has been hampered by a groin problem in recent weeks which forced him to pull out of the Republic of Ireland squad, but he should also be available.
