Ipswich vs Derby preview - Rams set to make changes

Posted Friday, August 29, 2014 by PA

Derby are likely to make one or two changes when they resume Sky Bet Championship action against Ipswich.

After the Capital One Cup win over Charlton in midweek, Rams head coach Steve McClaren faces a selection dilemma ahead of Saturday.

Jake Buxton, Jamie Ward and John Eustace were all rested against the Addicks but could be recalled.

However, standout performances from Zak Whitbread, Ivan Calero, and an impressive debut from on-loan Stoke defender Ryan Shotton will have given McClaren food for thought.

Jonathan Parr, Kevin Bru and Alex Henshall could all be pushing for a place as Ipswich prepare for a tough trip with just 16 senior players available.

Manager McCarthy and assistant Terry Connor were both present to watch them turn out for the Under-21s in midweek and they come into the reckoning with Conor Sammon ineligible to face his parent club and Cameron Stewart (jaw) and Stephen Hunt (calf) still sidelined.

"Hunty's been out and trained, but he's not fit to play yet. Cameron's still working towards that initial six weeks," McCarthy told the East Anglian Daily Times.

"I hope they'll both be available for after the international break. I've said to them both that has to be their target to be ready for those games."