Derby County's Jamie Ward has recovered from injury to take his place in the starting lineup for the visit of Middlesbrough to Pride Park in the Championship tonight.

The Northern Ireland international trained on Tuesday having sat out Sunday's 3-1 victory over Wigan Athletic due to a knee problem.

However, the 27-year-old has shaken off the knock which threatened his inclusion and comes into the first XI at the expense of Johnny Russell.

Craig Bryson, Simon Dawkins and Chris Martin all retain their selections for the Rams having netted in the victory over the Latics.

Meanwhile, Boro coach Aitor Karanka has named two changes to his team having opened his account as manager in the 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at the weekend.

Grant Leadbitter's accumulation of five yellow cards rules him out of the clash through suspension as Dean Whitehead deputises, while Curtain Main replaces Mustapha Carayol.

Derby County: Grant; Wisdom, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth; Eustace, Hughes, Bryson, Ward; Dawkins, Martin

Middlesbrough: Given; Friend, R Williams, Woodgate, Gibson; Adomah, Butterfield, Smallwood, Whitehead; Main, Kamara

Written by
Shane Callaghan