Derby County: Defender Martin in bid to be fit for QPR

DERBY County are hoping Martin Albrechtsen can shake off a knee injury to face Queens Park Rangers in Nigel Clough's first game as Rams boss.

Albrechtsen jarred his knee in the FA Cup third round victory over Forest Green Rovers and sat out the Carling Cup win against Manchester United.

The Dane would also have missed Saturday's Championship fixture at Cardiff City, had the game not been postponed because of a frozen pitch.

"We were hoping he was going to train on Monday but his knee was a little bit tender," said Clough.

"But he is going to do something today, with a view to playing on Saturday.

"With having both full-backs suspended, we definitely need Martin out there on Saturday."

Skipper and right-back Paul Connolly serves a one-match ban against QPR for reaching five yellow cards and left-back Jordan completes his three-match ban for the red card he received in the home defeat by Ipswich last month.

Mo Camara has filled in at left-back in the last two games and Albrechtsen, who played right-back at his previous club West Bromwich Albion, did so in recent matches against Watford, Preston North End and Ipswich Town.