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.

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.