Derby have been dealt a blow with the news that forward Jamie Ward will miss three-to-four weeks with a hamstring tear.
The Rams' leading goalscorer this term sustained the injury in the 1-0 away win at Nottingham Forest on Sunday and will definitely miss the two games prior to the international break.
Ward, who has already scored four times so far, will therefore also be out of Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier with Portugal.
Manager Nigel Clough told Derby's official website: "It isn't a massive injury so in some ways that is a bonus, although Jamie will be out for a little while.
"He has an outside chance of being available for the Blackburn Rovers game on 20th October, but we'll just have to see how he progresses during his intensive treatment."
