MICHAEL Tonge was struggling with a virus and had to see a doctor only hours before his stunning strike set Derby County on their way to victory over Watford.

The midfielder had been unwell in the days leading up to Saturday's 2-0 win at Pride Park Stadium and woke up on the morning of the game feeling under the weather.

But he was able to start his seventh consecutive match since arriving on loan from Stoke City and scored the opening goal after 12 minutes – his first for the Rams.

"I felt ill from Wednesday," said Tonge.

"I woke up on Saturday morning and felt bad. My head was clogged up so I went to see the doctor. I really wanted to play and I'm glad I did.

"I was just a bit wary because I didn't want to start the game and then have to come off after 20 minutes. I was conscious that I would let the team down if I played being ill. I didn't want to be a burden.

"I managed to get through, though, so that was good.

"It often seems to work that way. It happened to Rob Hulse the other week. He wasn't well before the Preston North End match and he managed to get through it and score two good goals.

"I was coughing a bit at the start but once the goal went in, I got some air in my lungs and I was all right.

"In fact, the longer the game went on, the better I felt."

Derby have won three and drawn one of the six League games Tonge has played.

"Michael struggled all week with a virus but he wanted to play for as long as he could," said Rams coach Gary Crosby.

"He adds quality to the side. It was a fantastic strike with his supposedly weaker foot but he has that ability

"He feels he is a central player and you can see he can play there as well but he doesn't mind being on the right.

"You can see he adds quality, not only with the goal he scored but generally in possession he is very comfortable in any situation, in tight areas, anywhere on the pitch."

Tonge has made only one League start for Stoke since signing from Sheffield United in 2008.

"He's gone to Stoke and they are doing very, very well and he has been unfortunate not to be involved there more often than he has been.

"But that's to our benefit at the moment," said Crosby.

Watford improved in the second half but were unable to break through as Derby recorded their fourth clean sheet in the last nine League games.

"I'm pleased for the whole team, not just the back four and the goalkeeper," said Crosby.

"The two centre-halves headed the ball well all afternoon. Shaun Barker was outstanding again with his heading and Jake Buxton keeps chipping in as well.

"In a funny sort of way, it was like an away game for the defenders in the second half.

"It was easier for them to defend because they got their line set and just had to come and head it.

"In a way, defenders prefer that in the second half to the first half."