Derby manager Paul Jewell believes the decision to send Alan Stubbs for knee surgery now, rather than in the close season, will be vindicated. The Rams will be without veteran defender Stubbs for the last two games of the season, as they bid for the wins that would see them overtake the lowest points total in Premier League history.

The relegated Rams travel to Blackburn on Saturday before hosting Reading on the final day of the season and need to take maximum points to beat the 15-point low established by Sunderland in 2006.

But their cause will be compromised by the absence of Stubbs, who saw a planned cartilage operation on his knee brought forward in order to give him maximum recovery time for next term.

The 36-year-old former Bolton, Celtic and Everton centre-half went under the knife on Wednesday in a precautionary procedure aimed at making him less susceptible to injury in the future.

Jewell told the Derby Evening Telegraph: "He is going to be a very important player for us next season and I want him ready for battle on day one. That is why we have taken this action.

"It is not something that has been affecting his performances but something we wanted sorting out - and quickly."

Stubbs has made eight appearances for County following his free transfer from the Toffees.

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