Watford v Derby preview
Last Updated: August 12, 2011 12:22pm
Clough: Looking to build on good start
Team news for Saturday's Championship clash between Watford and Derby at Vicarage Road.
Watford boss Sean Dyche has no new injury problems to contend with for the visit of Derby.
Midfielder Stephen McGinn is the only absentee as he continues to be sidelined with a knee injury.
The Hornets threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at Burnley on the opening day and have had a full week to rest after their Carling Cup tie at Bristol Rovers on Wednesday was postponed due to the disturbances in the city.
Summer signing Chris Iwelumo is set to keep his place up front despite being replaced by Troy Deeney against his former side Burnley.
Dyche is unlikely to make too many changes from that game with David Mirfin, Carl Dickinson, Prince Buaben and Tom James all vying for their debuts.
Stand-in skipper Jason Shackell is expected to be fit for Derby's trip to Watford.
The summer signing from Championship rivals Barnsley, who missed the majority of pre-season with a calf injury, was substituted late on in the Carling Cup defeat to Shrewsbury on Tuesday night due to a stiff back.
With fellow centre-halves Shaun Barker (knee), Jake Buxton, Russell Anderson (groin) and Dean Leacock (knee) already sidelined by injury, manager Nigel Clough's options at the heart of defence are limited to just Shackell and youngster Mark O'Brien.
Chris Riggott, who re-joined the club on a one-year deal this week, is still working his way back to full fitness following a series of injuries and is not yet in consideration for a first-team place.
Clough expects Shackell, who scored Derby's first goal of the season in the 2-1 win over Birmingham last weekend, to be available at Vicarage Road on Saturday.
"Knowing the character that Jason is he will be fine for Saturday," said Clough, who will have striker Jamie Ward and midfielder Jeff Hendrick back in the squad following their return from international duty.
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Matches
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npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
