Derby County vs Watford preview - Double boost for Rams

Chris Martin and George Thorne have given Derby an injury boost ahead of the crucial clash with Watford at the iPro Stadium.

Striker Martin, the Rams' leading scorer with 19 goals this season, has missed the last 10 games with a hamstring injury while Thorne has sat out the last six matches due to a thigh problem.

Fellow midfielder Jeff Hendrick (hip) will also be back in the squad after he was absent for the defeat at Wolves prior to the international break.

John Eustace is not yet ready to return from his knee surgery as Derby look to get their automatic promotion challenge back on track with a first win in seven games.

Watford will once again be without Almen Abdi due to a hamstring injury.

The Swiss midfielder has missed the last two matches but is close to fitness and has an outside chance of being available to face Middlesbrough on Monday.

There will have to be a change at the back after defender Joel Ekstrand suffered a cruciate injury against Ipswich last time out which could see him sidelined for the rest of the year.

Midfielder Sean Murray is the only other injury absentee as he continues his recovery from knee surgery.