Derby County manager Wayne Rooney has confirmed a major blow for his selection plans this weekend as Jason Knight will miss out on the chance to face Blackburn Rovers.

The 20-year-old has already spent time on the sidelines earlier this season after a tackle by Rooney in pre-season training left him with an ankle injury.

The Republic of Ireland international returned though and bagged a goal and an assist in the 2-2 draw with Luton Town last week - but in the latter stages of that match he picked up a thigh problem.

It's one that kept the youngster out of the sharing of the points with Coventry City and unfortunately he has not shaken it off in time for the visit of Rovers to Pride Park.

Two more experienced players who have been absent in recent matches are Sam Baldock and Craig Forsyth - the latter broke his nose against Preston North End whilst defender Forsyth has been ill.

Baldock is still touch and go as to whether he will be involved according to Rooney but Derby's Scottish defender is back healthy and has been training all week with a view to getting back into the squad this weekend.

The Verdict

Knight's absence is going to be a tough one to handle once again for Derby as he's one of the more creative players of their team as he showed against Luton.

With Derby's squad thread-bare as it is they can't afford to be picking up these kinds of issues especially when the games are coming thick and fast.

It's good that both Baldock and Forsyth seem to be getting back to being available though - neither man has let Rooney down this season in their battle to get out of the relegation zone.

At this point getting any squad member back to fitness is a boost for Rooney and he will be praying that both make it through the final training session of the week tomorrow before they welcome Tony Mowbray's men to Pride Park.