McEveley to face Blades in Rams Reserves run-out

JAY McEveley was due to play for Derby County Reserves this afternoon wearing a mask to protect his fractured cheekbone.

The defender picked up the injury in the defeat at Middlesbrough just over three weeks ago.

He also suffered a major scare on the operating table when his heart stopped for two minutes.

But he has been training and will face Sheffield United Reserves at Bramall Lane (2pm).

McEveley, with his mask at the ready, was an unused substitute for the first team in Friday's home victory over Coventry City.

He will not fly out with the rest of the squad tomorrow for the friendly against Den Haag in Holland because his fiance is due to give birth in the next week or two.

The Reserve team will be made up mainly of youngsters like Greg Mills, Arnaud Mendy, Mark Dudley, Aleksander Prijovic and Henrik Ojaama.

Ben Pringle is still a few weeks away from being fit.

The midfielder damaged his knee playing for the Reserves against Port Vale last month.