Derby County

QPR v Derby
QPR could give a debut to 18-year-old defender Michael Mancienne, who has joined on a month's loan from Chelsea. Manager John Gregory is likely to name a similar team to the one which drew with Norwich as none of his long-term injury casualties are ready to return. Derby midfielder Bob Malcolm has picked up an ankle knock and is struggling to be fit for the trip to Loftus Road. Striker Paul Peschisolido (thigh) is definitely out, as is the suspended midfielder Giles Barnes.

Nyatanga could stay at Sunderland
Derby manager Billy Davies says defender Lewin Nyatanga's loan move to Sunderland could become permanent. The Welsh international, 18, has joined the Black Cats until January and gone straight into the squad for Barnsley. But Nyatanga, contracted at the Rams until 2008, could stay on Wearside, a deal possibly linked to Davies' desire to sign Jon Stead on a long-term basis. \"I would never say never to a permanent move but all I can say at the moment is that he is going on loan,\" said Davies. \"He needs to get some games under his belt, and as for what happens between now and when his loan ends on 2 January we will have to wait and see. \"He seems to revel in a back-three situation but we are playing a back four at the moment which makes it difficult for young Lewin to come in.\" Nyatanga became the youngest-ever full Wales international when he made his debut against Paraguay last March. Although that record has now been taken by Southampton youngster Gareth Bale, Nyatanga has established himself as a regular member of John Toshack's side and started both Euro 2008 qualifiers against Slovakia and Cyprus this month. He signed a new two-year contract with Derby under previous manager Phil Brown to keep him at the club until 2008. But the Welshman has failed to impress new boss Davies, and has featured just six times for the first team this season.

Derby v Birmingham
Derby will make a late decision on Dean Leacock, who was hospitalised after suffering concussion. Bob Malcolm is struggling with an ankle knock, Giles Barnes has completed a three-game ban and Paul Peschisolido is out with a thigh injury. Birmingham have Damien Johnson available after a a three-game ban. Nicklas Bendtner and Stephen Clemence could return but Matthew Upson has a groin problem and Neil Kilkenny has been sidelined by an ankle knock.

Derby 0-1 Birmingham
Stephen Clemence's late deflected goal gave Birmingham victory over Derby to ease the pressure on boss Steve Bruce. Clemence scored with less than 10 minutes left, as his strike bamboozled Lee Grant after a ricochet off Morten Bisgaard and the post. In the first half Derby keeper Grant saved at the feet of Nicklas Bendtner, who broke clear and into the Derby box. Grant was relieved to collect Cameron Jerome's weak shot after Bendtner's backheel set up his colleague. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derby boss Billy Davies: \"The first 45 minutes was disappointing because we didn't pass and again we didn't perform in our home environment. \"We improved after the break but they got a deflected goal and there was nothing we could do about that. \"I was expecting us to be tired after our travels but credit is due to my players because they performed with great energy but that was not enough.\" Birmingham boss Steve Bruce: \"We're now only one point off third place but apparently there is a crisis and I am going to lose my job - it is ridiculous. \"It is incredible what football is turning into. \"I know we'll be there or thereabouts at the end of the season but whether we can go straight back up remains to be seen.\"

O'Driscoll extends Streete stint
Doncaster have extended the loan spell of teenage Derby defender Theo Streete for a second month. The 18-year-old has made four appearances for Rovers since moving on loan to Belle Vue in September - having already trained with them for a while. He was signed as cover for injuries, but has impressed Doncaster boss Sean O'Driscoll during the last four weeks and will stay for another month. Streete has not yet appeared for Derby's first team.

Malcolm facing extended lay-off
Derby midfielder Bob Malcolm looks set to miss several more weeks of action because of his ankle injury. The setback comes after a piece of floating bone was discovered by a specialist investigating his complaint. Initial scans had failed to show the problem but the 25-year-old Scot may need an operation if the bone cannot be moved with treatment. The former Rangers player joined the Pride Park club in September 2006 signing a two-year contract.

Cardiff v Derby
Cardiff are expected to recall top scorer Michael Chopra and defender Kevin McNaughton for Derby's visit. But they will be without on-loan Arsenal full-back Kerrea Gilbert who starts the first of his three-match ban for his dismissal at Norwich last week. Darren Moore will be forced to sit out for Derby through suspension, while Dean Leacock has returned from a head injury to step into the breach. Paul Peschisolido (thigh) and Bob Malcolm (ankle) will also miss out.

Cardiff 2-2 Derby
A 92nd-minute Giles Barnes goal denied league-leaders Cardiff three points. Mike Chopra missed chances as Cardiff dominated a goalless first half, before Glenn Loovens put his side ahead with a strong header from Paul Parry's corner. Steve Howard equalised, heading in Richard Jackson's right-wing cross, before Chopra looked to have won it. The striker fired home Steve Thompson's centre right-footed from 12 yards, but Barnes connected with Jackson's cross for a spectacular 15-yard volley. Loovens went off with a worrying looking cheek injury towards the end and was sent to hospital for a scan. Former Bluebirds chairman Sam Hammam received a standing ovation before the kick-off at Ninian Park. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cardiff manager Dave Jones: \"I don't think they were on the same park as us today. We could have been well out in front in the first half. \"I'm disappointed in drawing the game, but not in the way we played. It is a good point for us, because the two teams below us lost points. \"They came to do a job against us but we kept pulling them apart, so they changed it around, but we still continued to pull them apart. \"Some of the football we played was top quality, and the second goal we scored was out of this world.\" Derby coach Julian Darby: \"I am over the moon for Barnes, he's a young lad with a bit of everything. He's got bags of talent and does things like that every day in training. \"We knew the game was going to be tough and we needed that bit of luck. Cardiff deserve to be top of the league because they are a very good team. \"I did feel the longer the game went on, the more we looked like getting something from it. \"We would have taken a point before the game, but I think we've got nothing to fear from now on.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cardiff: Alexander, McNaughton, Purse, Loovens (Johnson 62), Chambers, McPhail, Parry, Scimeca, Ledley, Thompson, Chopra. Subs Not Used: Howard, Flood, Campbell, Kamara. Goals: Loovens 52, Chopra 74. Derby: Bywater, Edworthy, Camara, Leacock, Michael Johnson (Jackson 22), Oakley, Bisgaard (Barnes 72), Lupoli, Howard, Stead (Smith 80), Seth Johnson. Subs Not Used: Grant, Bolder. Goals: Howard 66, Barnes 90. Att: 17,371 Ref: A Marriner (W Midlands).

Derby v Barnsley
Derby defender Michael Johnson has a hamstring niggle and may be replaced by Darren Moore, who is back from a ban. Striker Paul Peschisolido is two weeks away from recovering from a thigh injury and midfielder Bob Malcolm is still out after suffering ankle damage. Barnsley midfielder Brian Howard is doubt and may be replaced by Colin Healy, who is ready to make his first league start for the Tykes. Dale Tonge is doubtful, but Daniel Nardiello and Michael McIndoe may play.

Derby 2-1 Barnsley
Giles Barnes scored twice in two minutes to earn Derby victory. Bobby Hassell put Barnsley ahead from 12 yards after keeper Stephen Bywater flapped at Michael McIndoe's corner. Bywater made an excellent save from Tommy Wright midway through the first half before Derby's Arturo Lupoli struck the post. Barnes scored twice from long range, the first into the left-hand corner and the second into the right, before Daniel Nardiello missed with a header. Derby: Bywater, Edworthy (Jackson 90), Moore, Leacock, Camara, Barnes, Bolder (Bisgaard 60), Seth Johnson, Lupoli, Howard, Stead (Smith 46). Subs Not Used: Grant, Boertien. Booked: Leacock. Goals: Barnes 72, 76. Barnsley: Colgan, Hassell (Austin 46), Reid, Kay, Heckingbottom, McIndoe, Togwell, Howard, Devaney, Richards (Nardiello 84), Wright (Hayes 79). Subs Not Used: Healy, Williams. Booked: Richards. Goals: Hassell 13. Att: 21,295 Ref: A Penn (W Midlands).

Derby v West Brom
Midfielder Morten Bisgaard is pushing for a recall to Derby's starting XI after shaking off a hamstring problem. Giles Barnes will play but Matt Oakley (sciatica) and Michael Johnson (hamstring) are set to miss out. West Brom manager Tony Mowbray has admitted first-choice keeper Pascal Zuberbuhler is lacking confidence and could turn to Russell Hoult. Left-back Paul Robinson is banned while Darren Carter (hamstring) is unlikely to be risked, and Nigel Quashie is out.

Derby 2-1 West Brom
Giles Barnes was Derby's hero as they came from behind to beat West Brom. West Brom looked set for three points after taking the lead in the 26th minute when Richard Chaplow rounded keeper Stephen Bywater to score. But Matt Oakley fired home from 25 yards after 69 minutes to draw Derby level after West Brom stood off. And three minutes later 18-year-old Barnes rose to meet Morten Bisgaard's cross and head into the top corner from six yards to clinch Derby's win. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derby boss Billy Davies on a post-match dizzy spell: \"I'm fine. I missed my lunch and felt I needed to get some food in me. I did feel dizzy but I had a couple of Jaffa Cakes and I was alright. \"To be fair, the first 45 minutes left me dizzy. We are our own worst enemy. \"I'll have to talk to Uefa about getting games started at half-time. In the first half we looked nervous.\" West Brom boss Tony Mowbray: \"Perhaps we were a bit naive at times and wasteful in front of goal but there are another 30 games to go and there's no need to be concerned. \"We have got a very disappointed dressing room because the players know they didn't get what they deserved. \"I wouldn't knock the strikers, we were creating a lot of chances.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derby: Bywater, Edworthy, Leacock, Michael Johnson, Camara, Bisgaard (Moore 90), Oakley, Seth Johnson (Smith 46), Barnes, Howard, Lupoli (Stead 59). Subs Not Used: Grant, Bolder. Booked: Camara, Howard. Goals: Oakley 69, Barnes 72. West Brom: Hoult, Watson, Perry, Curtis Davies, Albrechtsen, Gera (Hartson 88), Koumas, Chaplow, Greening, Ellington (Phillips 59), Kamara. Subs Not Used: Steele, McShane, Wallwork. Booked: Chaplow, Kamara. Goals: Chaplow 26. Att: 25,342. Ref: P Walton (Northamptonshire).

Peschisolido near to full fitness
Derby striker Paul Peschisolido is close to returning to the squad. The 35-year-old Canadian sustained a thigh injury in the warm-up ahead of the home game against Southend United on 30 September. Rams manager Billy Davies told SSB: \"Pesch is making great progress and we are probably looking at him being back in next 10 days. \"He is back in training and there has been no reaction yet, so things are looking very positive.\"

Coventry v Derby
Coventry have no new injury worries after six players carrying knocks came through the Stoke game unscathed. Defensive quartet Clive Clarke, Robert Page, Richard Duffy and Marcus Hall, midfielder Stephen Hughes and forward Dele Adebola are all fit to play. Derby will be without banned defender Mo Camara and Richard Jackson and Paul Boertien are battling to replace him. Michael Johnson and Matt Oakley showed no ill effects after returning from injury, but Paul Peschisolido is out.

Derby set to make Man Utd signing
Derby County hope to conclude the signing of Manchester United midfielder David Jones on Wednesday. A deal has been agreed that Jones, 23, will initially move on loan to Pride Park with a £1m-plus transfer becoming permanent in the January. Jones played for Rams boss Billy Davies in a loan spell at Preston last season. Personal terms have yet to be settled but Davies hopes they can be sorted so Jones can join training on Friday and play against Luton on Saturday.

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