Derby County vs Brighton & Hove Albion preview - Keogh concern for Rams

Captain Richard Keogh is a major doubt for Derby as the Championship leaders prepare to face struggling Brighton at the iPro Stadium.

Keogh looks set to lose his ever-present record this season due to a hamstring strain he suffered in the defeat at Leeds last Saturday. With Zak Whitbread not yet over his back and hamstring troubles, Jake Buxton is in line to be recalled to partner Ryan Shotton at centre-half.

Jamie Ward will return to the squad after missing eight matches with a thigh injury. The forward played 65 minutes for the Under-21 team against West Brom this week.

Craig Bryson, Simon Dawkins and John Eustace will be pushing for places in the starting line up while academy product Kwame Thomas will hope to be on the bench again and make his home debut, having made his first senior appearance for the club as a second-half substitute at Elland Road.

Brighton skipper Gordon Greer is a doubt for the trip due to a knee injury.

The Scotland defender missed last weekend's 2-1 defeat by Fulham and was replaced by Aaron Hughes, who is on standby to deputise again.

Winger Kazenga LuaLua will miss out after he damaged knee ligaments during the first half against the Cottagers and striker Adrian Colunga is suspended following his late red card.

Solly March is fit after a back injury but fellow midfielders Andrew Crofts (cruciate) and Dale Stephens (ankle) are still missing.