Rams to wait on trio

Craig Bryson, Gareth Roberts and John Brayford will be given as long as possible to prove their fitness ahead of Derby's trip to Southampton.

Midfielder Bryson and left-back Roberts are nursing injuries following the home defeat to Reading in midweek and are doubts but right-back Brayford could return after missing the last two matches with a thigh problem.

Bryson came off at half-time on Tuesday night with a heel problem while Roberts suffered a leg injury in the closing minutes.

Manager Nigel Clough will also monitor the fitness of forward Nathan Tyson, who completed a match for the first time this season against the Royals, following 85 minutes at Millwall last Saturday.

Leading scorer Theo Robinson and fellow striker Steve Davies returned from injuries as second-half substitutes against Reading and are both pushing for starts.