Defender Buxton on schedule for a February return
JAKE Buxton is making good progress in his recovery from a knee injury.
Derby County are hopeful the central defender will be fit to return to action in February.
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Derby County defender Jake Buxton.
Buxton suffered medial ligament damage in the victory over Leeds United at Pride Park on December 8.
"Jake is coming on and there has been a marked improvement," said manager Nigel Clough.
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"We still think he is two or three weeks away. We are hoping to have him back in February."
Mark O'Brien and James O'Connor have filled in for Buxton, and John Brayford switched from right-back to centre-back for the second half of the draw at Charlton Athletic.
Derby will check on the fitness of Craig Bryson, Gareth Roberts and Jamie Ward ahead of Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie against League One leaders Tranmere Rovers.
Bryson (knee), Roberts (calf) and Ward (hamstring) missed the victory over Middlesbrough on Tuesday.
Clough says none of the three will be risked if they are not ready.
"That would be the same if it was a league game," added Clough. "We still have 20 games left in the League and a few cup games, we hope, and we want them available for most of those.
"We cannot afford them to be missing for half of those games.
"It is important we get players fit.
"We need them to bolster the squad.
"The 18 players we had on duty against Middlesbrough included Michael (Hoganson) and Val (Gjokaj), and Mason (Bennett) was 19th man.
"We have said all along that if everybody is fit, we are quite happy with the squad."
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