Preview: Derby County vs. Preston North End

The Rams are back in action after the two week international break against Preston North End, a side who they hammered 5-3 last season in one of the best performances in the whole campaign. After recent performances at home, the side will surely be looking to win against any team on home soil. Preston will be no pushovers, having gained seven points from nine, the same as The Rams, but lie only two places above the relegation zone after a shocking start which saw them on the losing side in six of the first seven Championship fixtures.

Rams defender Russell Anderson is looking forward to getting back in the side after a long injury lay-off which saw him sit out every game since the victory over Leeds United on the opening day: 'Everyone has their own set of circumstances. The first game of the season came along and obviously Shaun Barker wasn't fit and so there were two places at centre-back up for grabs.

'It was a chance to try to get in the team but these things happen in football.

'Touch wood, the injury is in the past now and I'm back to fitness.

'It's a long season and, hopefully, I will get another opportunity in the team at some point and I have to make sure I'm ready to take it.'

PNE boss Darren Ferguson is keen to improve his side´s league standing despite a recent resurgence: 'At the moment our league position isn't brilliant, it's better than it was, but could be a hell of a lot better.

'There are two ways of looking at it, we are two points above the bottom three but only six behind the play-offs.

'The aim after the international break is to put another good run together which can help us climb the table.'

Stephen Bywater misses out with a fractured wrist and Saul Deeney cannot feature as he is on comparrionate leave, so on-loan goalkeeper Frank Fielding will get a start. Reserve keeper Ross Atkins has been recalled from Tamworth as cover. Paul Green may miss out having suffered a hamstring injury on international duty with Ireland.

According to Nigel Clough, on-loan forward Bueno was suffering from fatigue during the Swansea game after being thrust into the action since joining the club. Hopefully he will be refreshed and sharp after the international break.

Manchester United Pair Josh King and Matty James, who are on-loan at Deepdale, may boost Darren Ferguson´s side with returns. Winger Keith Treacy may feature, despite having some bad recent luck with injuries.

Gigantic front-man Jon Parkin has made a good start to the season and has a nasty habit of netting against The Rams. He netted a hattrick in the 6-4 victory over Leeds.

Last Matches:

Derby County:

Hull City (a)0-2

Barnsley (a) 1-1

Crystal Palace (h) 5-0

Middlesbrough (h) 3-1

Swansea City (a) 0-0

Preston North End:

Norwich City (h) 0-1

Wigan Athletic (a) 1-2

Coventry City (a) 2-1

Leeds United (a) 6-4

Reading (h) 1-1

Doncaster Rovers vs. Derby County, Tue 19th October, 19:45pm, The Championship

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