Cody McDonald is set to make his debut for Coventry.
The striker was signed from Norwich on transfer deadline day and is poised to play some part, although manager Andy Thorn is wary of how much game time to give him considering his lack of match action this season.
Elsewhere, City's injury problems are starting to clear up with winger Gary McSheffrey (hamstring) and striker Clive Platt playing for the reserves in midweek.
Midfielder David Bell is also back in training having been forced off with a back injury in the 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough last time out, although Thorn will not take any risks on their fitness.
Striker Freddy Eastwood (hamstring) and midfielder Gary Deegan (ankle and thigh) have this week been sent on a fitness camp to get them both up to speed, with the former having been named on the bench for Coventry's last two outings.
Derby's Steve Davies, Jamie Ward and Kevin Kilbane are, meanwhile, all expected to recover from injuries in time for the televised clash.
Strikers Davies (back) and Ward (hamstring) came off at half-time during the home defeat to Burnley prior to the two-week international break. Ward also pulled out of Northern Ireland's Euro 2012 qualifiers with the injury.
Kilbane did not feature in the Republic of Ireland's qualifiers against Slovakia and Russia due to a back strain and the left-sided player may not train until Friday.
However, manager Nigel Clough said: "We are confident they will be available this weekend."
Defender Russell Anderson is expected to come back into the squad. The centre-half returned from a month out with a groin injury to play the full 90 minutes for the reserves on Wednesday night in a game that also saw Conor Doyle and David Martin resume action after ankle injuries suffered in pre-season.
The game on Saturday evening may come too soon for Nathan Tyson, though. The forward is nearing full fitness following a groin injury over the summer but Clough is likely to err on the side of caution instead of including him in the squad for the first time this season.
