Midfielder Giles Barnes heads back to America next month for another assessment on his knee injury.
The 19-year-old was sidelined back in February after being ruled out for the season by the problem he picked up in training.
He is making progress and the damage is not as bad as first feared but he will still be out of action for a number of months.
"Giles goes back to America in June to be assessed, and they will see what the extent of his injury is," Rams boss Paul Jewell said.
"I think they are quite pleased with things but he still won't be fit until September or October."
Barnes has already visited the world-famous knee surgeon Dr Richard Steadman, who has saved the careers of many sportspeople across the world.
His 2007/08 campaign was disrupted after he picked up a foot injury in May's play-off final that ruled him out until September.
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