Rams boss Nigel Clough makes two changes to the side that started Tuesday night’s Capital One Cup encounter at home to Scunthorpe United.
Jamie Ward, who was away on international duty with Northern Ireland earlier in the week, returns in attack in the place of Theo Robinson, who drops to the substitutes’ bench.
Elsewhere, 17-year-old Academy graduate Will Hughes is handed his second-ever npower Championship start for the Rams on the left-hand side of midfield, with Jeff Hendrick (wrist) returning to partner Craig Bryson in the middle.
Gareth Roberts (hamstring) starts in defence after coming through just over 60 minutes against the Iron, whilst Swiss defender Valentin Gjokaj is named amongst the substitutes after penning a two-year deal and receiving international clearance late last night.
Summer signings Richard Keogh and Paul Coutts are all handed their first league starts for the Rams, with fellow recruits Michael Jacobs and James O’Connor named on the bench.
Derby County: Fielding (GK); Brayford, Keogh, Buxton, Roberts; Coutts, Bryson, Hendrick, Hughes; Ward, Tyson.
Subs: Legzdins (GK), Robinson, Bennett, Jacobs, O’Connor, Gjokaj, Doyle.
Sheffield Wednesday: Kirkland (GK); Buxton, Gardner, Llera, R. Johnson; J.Johnson, Semedo, Pecnik, McCabe, Antonio; O'Grady.
Subs: Bywater (GK), Beevers, Mattock, Madine, Maguire, Coke, Prutton.