Ipswich Town vs. Derby County

The Rams travel to the east on Saturday to face an Ipswich town side without a win so far this season. With Nigel Clough's team having exhibited dreadful form on their travels this season, The Tractor will fancy their chances against a team which has picked up only two points when not on home soil this season. Roy Keane's Ipswich side made some big signings in the summer, and have on occasion been unlucky so far this campaign, but it isn't hard to envisage a home win this time around.

Ipswich midfielder Grant Leadbitter is frustrated at his sie's fortunes so far this season: 'The performances, certainly lately, have been better than the results. We should have won maybe our last four or five games but we can't keep saying this or that , we'v got to put our chances away, stop giving goals away and start picking up points.'

Alex Bruce should return for Ipswich; the player was sent off in the 2-1 defeat against Ipswich in the Billy Davies promotion season. Gareth McAuley is set to miss out with a thigh strain. Young Town man, Connor Wickham is away with England U-17.

Signed from Sunderland in the Summer, the combative midfielder has experienced promotion from the division with Roy Keane before, but now he is embroiled in a relegation battle. He has been one of the best performers for his side this season.

The regular absentees are once again not present in the squad for tomorrows game. Stephen Pearson and Steve Davies are still upping their games having made recent returns from injuries, and both will play a part although Davies has a tight hamstring. Dean Leacock (mumps) and Jake Buxton (hernia) are doubts for the game, but no other injury victims are expected to play a part. Fredrik Stoor should play a part after sustaining a facial injury in the 2-4 defeat at the hands of QPR.

Pressure is mounting on Rob Hulse as The Rams look to halt their slide towards the bottom of the table. The forward needs to stand tall and put in a shift against Ipswich. If Hulse got injured, we would be in real trouble.

Last 5: Derby County
QPR (h) 2-4
Middlesbrough (a) 0-2
Leicester City (a) 0-0
Sheffield Wednesday (h) 3-0
Cardiff City (a) 1-6

Last 5: Ipswich Town
Plymouth Argyle (a) 1-1
Watford (h) 1-1
Swansea City (h) 1-1
Barnsley (a) 1-2
Sheffield United (a) 3-3

Derby County vs. Coventry City, Friday 6 November 2009 19:45, The Coca-Cola Football League Championship

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