Derby County host Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday with the Rams looking to recover from a three-match winless run, which has seen them fall seven points adrift of the play-offs.

The Rams suffered a fifth successive defeat on their travels on Saturday losing 1-0 at Blackburn Rovers, with Phillip Cocu’s side again failing to score on their travels and being guilty of making a vital mistake at the back to see them fall to a defeat.

Cocu will be hopeful of getting his side back to winning ways against Sheffield Wednesday, and looking to make it six wins in seven Championship matches at home, which could see them close the gap on their opponents to four points.

Derby, though, will have to achieve that without the presence of the influential Graeme Shinnie, with the midfielder still recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up during the Rams’ 1-0 win against Preston North End a few weeks ago, and he is likely to be out for the next few months.

Matt Clarke will also miss out again through injury, with the defender having picked up a knee injury which forced him off inside the opening 15 minutes against Nottingham Forest a few weeks ago, and he his likely to be out for the next few weeks, leaving Cocu’s side short of defensive cover.

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The Rams will probably also be without Tom Huddlestone once again, with the experienced midfielder having been out of action since early October having picked up a hamstring injury during Derby’s 2-2 draw at Barnsley, although he could be set to return in the next few weeks.

Ikechi Anya, who has not featured for the Rams for well over a year, remains an injury doubt having picked up a calf injury during Derby’s pre-season which has ruled him out for the first few months of the campaign, though he could be set to make a return to fitness in the coming weeks.

Cocu will be hopeful that Krystian Bielik, who only returned to action last time out at Blackburn having recovered from a hip injury, will be alright to feature against Sheffield Wednesday having picked up a knock during the defeat at Ewood Park on Saturday.