JAMIE Ward is fully aware of the threat Millwall striker Darius Henderson could pose Derby County today.

The Rams travel to The Den for a Championship clash against the Lions, for whom Henderson has scored 16 goals this season.

Ward and Henderson were team-mates at Sheffield United.

They have remained friends and have kept in touch since their respective moves away from Bramall Lane.

Henderson missed Millwall's 3-2 victory over Southampton in an FA Cup fourth-round replay on Tuesday but he is expected to return to the team to face Derby.

"I know Darius well," said Ward, who has been ever-present in the League this season following his move from Sheffield United in the summer.

"Darius has been scoring a few goals for Millwall and so we have obviously got to stop him.

"I spoke to him last week and he said he is in his best scoring form, so he is the one we have got to watch.

"He is the main threat but I'm sure Shaun Barker and Jason Shackell will keep a close eye on him."

Henderson spent three years at Sheffield United following a £2m move from Watford in July 2008.

He hit 20 goals in 72 league appearances for the Blades before he joined Millwall last summer.

The 30-year-old has scored seven goals in his last five games, including hat-tricks in the FA Cup victory over Dagenham & Redbridge and in a 3-1 league win at Barnsley.

Ward added: "You always keep in touch with players and, more often than not, it is the strikers because you play together and you build a good relationship.

"Darius is good for advice, so it is always nice to keep in touch."

Derby beat Millwall 3-0 at Pride Park Stadium in September, a game Henderson missed.

The Rams sat third in the table at the time, thanks to a run of six wins in their first eight league fixtures of the season.

"We beat Millwall at our place, so they will be looking for revenge," said Ward.

"We need to give a good account of ourselves, because of our first-half performance at Barnsley in our last game.

"It is a difficult place to go but we will go there with a plan and, hopefully, it works for us."