Portsmouth will be without Carl Dickinson for the game.
The defender is facing a spell on the sidelines as he needs surgery to cure a knee problem.
Veteran Iceland international Hermann Hreidarsson deputised at left-back at QPR on Tuesday night, only his second start of the season following a career-threatening Achilles injury, and looks set to keep his place.
Boss Steve Cotterill could name an unchanged side despite the 2-0 defeat, although he may opt to hand Kanu a start after resting the Nigerian striker in midweek.
Midfielders Richard Hughes and Michael Brown are still unavailable due to their contract disputes and striker Danny Webber remains sidelined with a knee injury.
Robbie Savage could return to the Derby line-up.
The veteran midfielder, who this week announced that he will retire at the end of the season, was an unused substitute as the Rams lost 2-1 at home to Ipswich in midweek.
It was a ninth defeat in 11 matches in all competitions for Nigel Clough's team and the manager could make changes.
However, with Dean Leacock still suspended and fellow defenders Russell Anderson (calf) and Jake Buxton (back and groin) still recovering from injury, Clough's options are limited.
Midfielder Tomasz Cywka and forward Steve Davies, late substitutes against Ipswich, could be recalled, while youngsters Conor Doyle, Ben Pringle and Jeff Hendrick are also available.
