Lawrence Returns For East Midlands Derby Clash

Captain Tom Lawrence has recovered from his recent groin injury and starts for Derby County in today’s East Midlands Derby clash against Nottingham Forest (12:30pm kick off).

The Rams’ skipper has missed the last three games after picking up the injury ahead of the 1-0 win against Hull City last week.

Lawrence is the only change for the Rams from the last league fixture, against Middlesbrough, last week.

Manager Wayne Rooney is without striker Sam Baldock who suffered a hamstring injury during the goalless draw against Boro.

The Derby boss has reverted to a more familiar-looking squad from Tuesday night’s valiant 2-1 defeat against Sheffield United in the Second Round of the Carabao Cup.

Louie Sibley scored his first goal of the season against the Blades and will be hoping to build on his impressive performance in midweek.

Derby County: Roos (GK), Byrne, Jagielka, Davies, Forsyth, Shinnie, Bird, Jozwiak, Morrison, Lawrence (C), Sibley.

Substitutes: Allsop (GK), Buchanan, Williams, Stearman, McDonald, Watson, Stretton.

Nottingham Forest: Samba (GK), Worrall (C), Carvalho, Zinckernagel, Bong, Johnson, Yates, McKenna, Lawrence-Gabriel, Taylor, Garner.

Substitutes: Horvath (GK), Figueiredo, Grabban, Colback, Lowe, Mighten, Cafu.