Matt Taylor returns to the Hammers squad.
The midfielder has been out for a month with a calf problem but proved his fitness with a 70-minute run-out and a goal for the reserves in midweek.
Striker Carlton Cole appears to have played his way into the starting line-up after helping the Hammers to back-to-back victories at Hull and Coventry with his appearances as a half-time substitute.
Joey O'Brien could also return at right-back after he came on at Coventry following a hamstring injury, while fellow defender Guy Demel (hamstring) is fit and pushing to be included in the squad.
Winston Reid (shoulder), Gary O'Neil (ankle), Henri Lansbury and David Bentley (both knee) are still out.
Derby, meanwhile, could have James Bailey back for the televised clash.
Midfielder Bailey has missed the last 12 matches since cracking a bone just above his ankle and damaging ligaments in training almost three months ago.
"James is not far away. If we had known he was going to be as good as he has been in training in the last two days, he might have played a little bit for the reserves on Monday," said boss Nigel Clough. "But we are trying to be a little more cautious with the injured players coming back so that they don't break down."
Theo Robinson has joined fellow forwards Nathan Tyson (groin) and Steven Davies (fractured skull) on the casualty list after a hamstring injury forced him off after just 15 minutes of the home defeat to Hull last weekend.
Clough has signed Tamas Priskin on loan from Ipswich as cover and the Hungarian is likely to make his full debut.
Craig Bryson finished the Hull game with a severe bout of cramp but the midfielder is expected to be fit.
