Nigel Clough is waiting on the fitness of several players before he decides how to shuffle Derby's defence against the Iron.
Shaun Barker's one-match suspension for reaching five yellow cards means the Rams need a central defensive partner for Dean Leacock. Russell Anderson, John Brayford and Dean Moxey are the men in the frame but who gets the nod could depend on the fitness of other players.
Groin and hamstring injuries have restricted Anderson to a single start this season, but, despite the Scot not featuring in the reserve-team game against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, Clough hopes he will train on Friday and be available.
Brayford could again switch from right-back to replace Barker. When Brayford has been asked to play at centre-half, Paul Green has dropped filled in at full-back, but the midfielder is a doubt after he was forced to pull out of the Republic of Ireland squad this week with an ankle injury.
A third option would be to bring in Gareth Roberts, who played 70 minutes for the reserves in midweek, at left-back and move Moxey into the centre.
Elsewhere, on-loan keeper Frank Fielding is nursing a bruised hip following the defeat at Leicester so Stephen Bywater could start after making his return from a wrist injury in the reserves. Striker Alberto Bueno (ankle and Achilles) could also come back into the reckoning.
Scunthorpe boss Ian Baraclough will assess the fitness of several players ahead of the trip to the Rams.
Defender Eddie Nolan took a knock to his ankle in last weekend's home defeat to Cardiff and is the Iron's biggest injury concern.
Rookie centre-back Niall Canavan continues to miss out with a knee problem while David Mirfin is absent until December with a foot injury.
Sam Togwell is also sidelined due to a knee injury and defender Michael Raynes will be assessed along with Garry Thompson and Jim McNulty.
Midfielder Michael O'Connor and goalkeeper Joe Murphy will return to training from international duty with Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland respectively on Friday.
West Ham striker Freddie Sears will continue in the side after extending his stay at the club until the new year.
