Derby County will be hoping to pick up only their second league win of the season as they prepare to face Leeds United at Elland Road next weekend.

The Rams were left frustrated after being held to a 1-1 home draw against Cardiff City on Friday night, where Robert Glatzel's penalty cancelled out Scott Malone's early strike.

Phillip Cocu's side had plenty of chances to win the game too, with Jack Marriott smashing the crossbar on an all-round frustrating night for Derby, who now sit 19th in the Sky Bet Championship table after seven games.

Next weekend, the Rams will be hoping to record only their second win of the campaign as they prepare to take on an old foe in Leeds United - both sides making completely different starts to the season since their play-off battles last term.

Marcelo Bielsa's side sit at the top of the Championship after five wins from their first seven league outings, so the Rams will have to be at their very best if they are to get something at Elland Road.

Perhaps the news that Derby fans weren't wishing for, then, is that winger Tom Lawrence will be unavailable for the trip to Elland Road, after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against the Bluebirds on Friday evening.

The Welshman has been one of Derby's most frustrating players this season, having failed to register a goal or assist since their opening day win over Huddersfield Town last month.

The 25-year-old scored a brace as Cocu's side raced towards their first win of the campaign against the Terriers, stepping up to the plate following the departures of former loan stars Harry Wilson and Mason Mount.

Lawrence has the ability to change a game on its own when he's at his best. He occupies the left wing, but often drifts inside and finds space in little pockets to cause problems for the opposition.

But with Derby struggling to get out of first gear in the opening stages of the season, Lawrence has been completely ineffective, much to the annoyance of the Rams faithful.

His absence on Saturday afternoon could well be a blessing in disguise, as it could allow him to have a breather and come back a better player after a brief stint on the sidelines.

Picking up five yellow cards in their opening seven league games also suggests that he is slightly jaded and perhaps annoyed with Derby's lack of points of late, so a break could do him the world of good.

The likes of Mason Bennett and Florian Jozefzoon will be itching to make an impact in Lawrence's absence too, which can only mean good things for Cocu in terms of competition.