[long_read]

Derby County take on Stoke City tomorrow evening four days after heading back into the play-off places.

With fixtures this evening, that could all change, and the Rams could find themselves needing points once more to move back into the all-important top-six.

Frank Lampard’s side’s lead relented against Sheffield Wednesday when Dominic Iorfa restored parity just before the hour mark to see the spoils shared.

It was a result that kept the Rams’ form indifferent with one win in their last six games – losing thrice.

With games running out, their form needs to improve fast in order to keep in touch with the teams in and around them.

For Derby to do that, this is the XI Lampard must field when they host the Potters tomorrow night.

[snack_break title="GK: Scott Carson"]

In the side, once more, and slowly getting back to form after injury saw him replaced with Kelle Roos.

[snack_break title="RB: Jayden Bogle"]

Phenomenal in the game against Sheffield Wednesday, he will aim to keep that form up tomorrow.

[snack_break title="CB: Richard Keogh"]

The club captain is certain to start with little option for alternatives at the back from Lampard.

[snack_break title="CB: Fikayo Tomori"]

The Chelsea loanee has improved as of late and has a solid partnership with Keogh at the back.

[snack_break title="LB: Scott Malone"]

Proved his worth in recent games and now ahead of Ashley Cole in the pecking order, he should start once again.

[snack_break title="RCM: Duane Holmes"]

Impressing on the right of a midfield three, he will be hoping to add more goals to his game starting with Stoke.

[snack_break title="CM: Tom Huddlestone"]

The midfield general in the Derby side will be in from the start tomorrow night.

[snack_break title="LCM: Bradley Johnson"]

The scorer in the draw with Sheffield Wednesday, he will be aiming to do the same again tomorrow but for his team to go one better and win.

[snack_break title="RF: Martyn Waghorn"]

Goals have dried up recently playing in a wide role, but his importance to the team cannot be understated.

[snack_break title="ST: Jack Marriott"]

Marriott is going through somewhat if a dry patch as of late having failed to net in the last nine games.

[snack_break title="LF: Harry Wilson"]

Back in the side but not back on form yet, the Liverpool loanee will be hoping tomorrow night will be a return to what the fans expect from him.

[/long_read]