PICKING two strikers from four is the welcome dilemma facing manager Nigel Clough for today's game against Blackpool.

Rob Hulse, Chris Porter, Paul Dickov and DJ Campbell are vying to start the Championship clash at Pride Park Stadium (3pm).

Dickov and Campbell lined up in the home defeat by Doncaster Rovers a week ago but were replaced by Hulse and Porter early in the second half.

Leading scorer Hulse is fit again after he missed two games with tight hamstrings.

Porter has made three appearances as a substitute after returning to action following a nine-month absence with a hip problem.

He is now ready to start.

"I think he is," said Clough of Porter, who was his first signing as Rams boss.

"We have got four nice options in attack.

"It is a little bit strange because we have not had that nice problem all season. We have not even had strikers on the bench until the last few weeks and even some of them were not fully fit.

"Now we have four who are ready to start."

Does Clough go with Dickov and Campbell again? Does he go with Hulse and Porter? Or does he mix it up and go with a "little and large" blend?

"There are a number of combinations to consider. It's just getting the right combination," added Clough.

Hulse and Porter are similar strikers but Clough believes they can play together.

"They did briefly last season and in the second half against Doncaster," said Clough.

"I do not think they are too much alike that they cannot play together.

"In the last 35 minutes against Doncaster, they caused problems.

"They are certainly knocking on the door to start, either one or both of them."

The fact that Derby have reached Boxing Day without a settled combination up front and at centre-half highlights how much injuries have affected the team this season.

"Most teams have their combinations at centre-half and centre-forward in place now," said Clough.

"We are still trying to find ours and we will probably have three centre-halves sat in the treatment room on Boxing Day."

The three defenders are Shaun Barker, Miles Addison and, possibly, Dean Leacock.