Derby defender Tyrone Mears is hoping to be starting fixtures again before the end of the season after recovering from a shin injury.The former Preston and West Ham full-back underwent surgery on a stress fracture of his left shin back in January but returned to action in the second half of Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Everton.

Mears said: "It's good to get just under half a game. I had a little bit of a run-out in the match with Fulham before that. It was only two minutes but I was a little bit better this time against Everton.

"I wasn't in my normal position but it's just good to get out and, hopefully, my start will come sooner rather than later."

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