Derby will be without midfielder Paul Green and defender Gareth Roberts.
Both players suffered knee injuries during the defeat at Cardiff last weekend.
Green faces around nine months out after seriously damaging cruciate and medial ligaments while Roberts will miss the game against the Sky Blues and the visit of Leeds on Tuesday night after he also damaged knee ligaments in south Wales.
John Brayford is set to fill in as an emergency left-back for Roberts, with Daniel Ayala, Dean Leacock and Russell Anderson, fit again after a long lay-off with groin and hamstring problems, in the frame to replace Brayford at right-back.
Miles Addison or James Bailey will come into contention to replace Green.
Tomasz Cywka was on the bench against Cardiff after a knee ligament injury and the Polish forward is likely to be involved once again.
Influential pair Marlon King and Gary McSheffrey are both doubtful for Coventry.
Striker King and winger McSheffrey have both been unable to train this week due to flu and will be assessed by caretaker manager Andy Thorn as late as possible.
Their absence would come as a big blow to City, with the duo jointly topping the club's scoring charts this season alongside Lucas Jutkiewicz on seven goals.
Full-back Jordan Clarke sustained an ankle injury in last weekend's morale-boosting 2-0 win over Watford and will also be assessed ahead of the clash against County, who are just one point below the Sky Blues in 19th.
Irishman Gary Deegan, who is yet to play this season, is back in full training after his long-term ankle injury but the trip to Pride Park is expected to come just too soon.
Midfielders Carl Baker (ankle) and Lee Carsley (Achilles) as well as defenders Richard Wood (groin), Ben Turner (knee) and James McPake (back) remain on the sidelines.
