Bywater is one of top six English keepers, says Rams boss
Clough is "very, very pleased" with Bywater's form, despite the Rams' struggle to win games.
Eight defeats in the past 11 matches have seen Derby slip to 20th in the Championship.
Their latest defeat came at the hands of bottom club Ipswich Town at the weekend.
"I think, despite the defeats, that Stephen Bywater is in fine form at the moment," said Clough, ahead of tonight's Championship clash against Coventry City at Pride Park Stadium.
"We're very, very pleased with him," added Clough.
"When you look at the list of English goalkeepers, he must be in the top half-dozen in the country."
David James of Portsmouth and Manchester United's Ben Foster were in the most recent England squad.
West Ham United's Robert Green played in the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine, where he was sent off following a blunder by defender Rio Ferdinand.
Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers) and Chris Kirkland (Wigan Athletic) are the other English keepers currently playing on a regular basis for their clubs in the Premier League.
Bywater represented England earlier in his career.
He played for the Under-19s, rotating with Robinson and Kirkland, and went on to win six Under-21 caps while with West Ham United.
The 28-year-old has been ever-present for Derby this season and made his 100th League appearance for the club in the recent defeat by Queens Park Rangers.
Bywater has made 38 consecutive starts.
Coventry's number one, Keiren Westwood, is a big doubt for tonight's game.
Westwood's back problem is still troubling him and he has seen a specialist this week.
He missed Coventry's 3-1 home defeat by Reading at the weekend. Dimi Konstantopolous replaced him.
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