TEAM NEWS

Midfielder George Thorne is a doubt for Derby after picking up a back injury.

Defender Jake Buxton returned from back surgery in the FA Cup win at Hartlepool and may be available. Abdoul Camara and Nick Blackman could make their home debuts.

Reading have doubts over Paul McShane (calf) and Michael Hector (knock).

Forward Lucas Piazon is hoping for a place in the starting line-up after appearing as a substitute at the weekend.

MATCH FACTS

• Derby have won as many games against Reading in their past three league meetings (two) as they did in their previous 15 combined.
• Reading have won six of their past seven meetings with Derby at the iPro (L1), including each of the past four.
• Chris Martin has netted just one goal in his past 11 league appearances for the Rams.
• Nick Blackman has scored 11 league goals for Reading this season - equalling his previous highest total for most goals in a single campaign along with 2012/13.
• Derby County have posted the best passing accuracy figure in the Championship in 2015/16 (79.4%).
• Reading have fired in the most shots (290) and shots on target (120) in the Championship this season. However, they have scored just 30 goals - a total that 10 teams have bettered so far.