Knee injury keeps Sears out of Ipswich side to face Derby

Forward Freddie Sears is facing up to a year on the sidelines with a cruciate injury as bottom club Ipswich prepare to regroup for the Sky Bet Championship match against Derby.

Sears suffered the ACL injury during Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at East Anglia rivals Norwich and is set for surgery ahead of a long road to recovery.

Defender Luke Chambers (foot) faces a late fitness test, while German forward Collin Quaner (hamstring) should return and winger Gwion Edwards could be included as he steps up recovery from a groin problem.

Defender James Collins (hamstring) remains unavailable, along with Jack Lankester (back) and Emyr Huws (knee). Ben Folami (Achilles) and Grant Ward (cruciate) are both long-term absentees.

Derby expect to have both Jack Marriott and Tom Lawrence available for the trip to Suffolk.

Forward Marriott missed Saturday’s 2-0 win over Hull with illness.

Striker Lawrence, meanwhile, has been sidelined by a calf problem but should return to contention against his former club.

Goalkeeper Scott Carson is out with a thigh strain, while Mason Mount has a hamstring problem.