Buxton set for Rams' Boxing Day call
JAKE Buxton could make his first start for Derby County in four months when Blackpool visit Pride Park Stadium on Boxing Day.
Derby will be without centre-backs Shaun Barker (thigh) and Miles Addison (foot), and Dean Leacock is doubtful with a knee injury.
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up for it: Derby County's Jake Buxton and Nottingham Forest's Dele Adebola in an aerial duel at the City Ground earlier this season – the last time the Rams defender played a first-team game.
Buxton started the first six games of the season but has been out with hernia and groin problems.
He played 80 minutes for the Reserves against West Bromwich Albion earlier this month and 90 minutes in yesterday's private friendly against Burton Albion at Moor Farm, when he put in a typically whole-hearted display.
The 24-year-old could now partner Jay McEveley at the heart of the defence as the Rams look to bounce back against Blackpool following the deflating performance in the home defeat by Doncaster Rovers.
"Jake needed some game time," said manager Nigel Clough (left).
"It is a good time for him to be coming back with the injury situation.
"Dean Leacock felt his knee after the Doncaster game. He is in a routine which is far from ideal where he trains Friday and plays Saturday at the moment because of various knocks and because we have been so short.
"You can see in his performances he is not sharp enough, not fit enough.
"We have to get him where he is fit enough to train in the week and play on Saturday."
Derby have not put a date on when Barker will return.
"We want to get him right," said Clough about the £900,000 summer signing from Blackpool who has been troubled by a thigh problem.
"Miles Addison will be stepping up his training this week but Boxing Day is probably a little bit too soon for him" added Clough.
"Steve Davies is possibly another two weeks away. He felt his hamstring again after the last reserve game and made it a little bit worse coming on at Watford.
"He has a very slight strain in a different part of his hamstring than before."
Full-back Fredrik Stoor could return to training today after having an injection in his troublesome ankle that forced him to miss the Doncaster defeat.
His loan from Fulham is up after the Blackpool game.
Lee Croft, Lee Hendrie, Jake Livermore and Ben Pringle also played against Burton, who fielded Michael Simpson, Andy Corbett, Shaun Harrad, Richard Walker, Jimmy Phillips and Jacques Maghoma.
The game ended 2-2 after Derby had trailed 2-0. Aleksander Prijovic and Greg Mills scored for the Rams. Burton's first was a Buxton own goal and their second was scored by Walker.
Watford striker Nathan Ellington, who spent last season on loan at Derby, has agreed a one-year loan deal with Greek club Skoda Xanthi.
The 29-year-old moved to Vicarage Road in 2007 for £3.25m but has failed to make an impact, scoring only five goals in 23 starts for the club.
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by Rob B, Rutland
Wednesday, December 23 2009, 9:04PM
“Just like to wish all those sad little florist fans a crappy xmas on the only place thier all sure to read it. Enjoy your time with Billy now while your winning games cos when it all goes pear shaped he'll be gone like the sh!thouse rat that he is. Com on you Rams I'm looking forward to a Cloughie christmas.”
by tom, derby
Wednesday, December 23 2009, 4:18PM
“tom_dcfc i argee with ross wallace i have always liked him i think hes a arrogant so n so and i think he would beef up our squad, stoor yes maclen NO hes nt proven hes nt really set up the champ alight geroge boyd yes bt i think there BOTH out of our price rang also ghaly i dnt really see him being a nc signing if i am honest bt u never no”
by Bruno, Derby
Wednesday, December 23 2009, 3:33PM
“John, Miles and MB = doom merchants! Simple as.”
by Red in the Bed, West Bridgford
Wednesday, December 23 2009, 3:24PM
“IF Morgan is the worst defender in the championship then that bloke you bought from the donkey lashers must be some player we have only conceeded 7 goals in 12 games and 5 of those were away from home dont forget sha$$ers we are unbeaten in 14 games so bring on the MAJOR OAK.”
by brobdigbagian, skegby
Wednesday, December 23 2009, 3:22PM
“joe from spondon
you need to do your checks too
commons started 40 games last season and also made a further 5 apps as a sub
as for weight gain have you seen him lately??? NO>???
i have hes far from overweight as you`ll see on his return vs blackpool”
by tom_dcfc7, Derby
Wednesday, December 23 2009, 2:46PM
“i think if forest got promoted they'd actualy manage 2 stay up only because billy would of learnt from his mistakes which he did with us ie buying championship players. Enough of forest though in jan if we want to finish top half or even make a late promotion push like sunderland did then we certainly need to buy some players. What do you guys reckon our weakest areas are i think both wings and some pace upfront possibly a right back too. Who do you think we should get in derby fans? i reckon ross wallace, stoor permo, aaron mclean, and hosham ghaily? what do you lot think?”
by Red Mole, Inside Prideless Park
Wednesday, December 23 2009, 2:38PM
“"Agent Clough"
"Agent Clough"
"Come in Agent Clough"
You are rapidly running out of time.
The SheepDip fans have finally
realised you were "Planted" in
Prideless Park to cause mayhem.
Why are you making it plainly obvious that Jake" The Plank" Buxton( The WORST defender the west of the Mississippi) may be coming back on Boxing Day. Couldn't you just have advised that he MIGHT make the bench. Following the debacle last Saturday against Donny, after the recent Mini run of success, it is VITAL that The Seasiders leave Prideless Park on Saturday with all three points.The Boo's MUST ring out the Stadium to hurry your departure, as it did a year ago on Saturday when Clueless Colin exited the CG.As previously advised, the RED Mercedes will pick you up in a lay-by on the Notts side of the A52.Bring the the latest injury file on "Judas" Commons- It needs to be looked at by a Division 4 side who MIGHT be making an offer for him when the January loan window opens.
This tape will self-destruct in 5 seconds.”
by John, Miles for Captain!
Wednesday, December 23 2009, 2:31PM
“MB - There is no IF about it my friend. Nigel Clough IS worse than Paul Jewell, a lot worse”
by Red Dog, Notts
Wednesday, December 23 2009, 2:25PM
“John, would like to butt in about Adebola. He played well at Preston..
He does the job we brought him in to do perfectly. Wins all headers, lays it off and off we go on our attack.
Not many Forest fans were excited about the signing but there's no denying he does what we brought him in for.
Games like Shef united away where they play hoof ball are games he's made for. For games against Newcastle etc, we play football and he can warm the bench til last 10 minutes when we need someone to hold up play and run the clock.”
by MB, Derby
Wednesday, December 23 2009, 2:15PM
“To be honest John I'd take pretty much any player from any team over ours.
Clough is as bad, if not worse than Jewell; Jewell seemed to tell everyone they were rubbish no matter what whereas Clough tells everybody they are doing fine no matter what.
I still find it astounding that there are people who think the months out or one match in several weeks injured farce is just bad luck.”