Derby County's Welsh international midfielder Joe Ledley is approaching full fitness and could be back in time for Friday night's clash with promotion rivals Bristol City, according to the Derby Telegraph. 

Ledley has missed the last four matches having only missed one of the previous 16 before that but Gary Rowett feels the midfielder is ready to resume training and be an option for the first team sooner rather than later.

It is a back problem that has been keeping Ledley out of contention for recent matches but it has not stopped Derby romping into second place in the Championship and they have not lost in their last ten away matches.

Rowett said: "We are hoping Joe will train this week. That is the plan, and we will see how he is. He did a little bit of ball work at the end of the week but we didn't want to rush him back because there is no need to. We want Joe back in as an option."

The Verdict

When you're playing as well as Derby are, there's no need to rush players back and risk further injuries.

However, it would be a boost if Ledley - who was all but ever-present before his injury - returned as soon as possible, especially given the absence of Bradley Johnson, for about a month.

Derby fans - how much of a miss has Ledley been? Let us know in the comments below...