McEveley blow for Rams

McEveley: Fractured cheekbone

Derby County defender Jay McEveley is expected to be sidelined for six weeks after fracturing his cheekbone against Middlesbrough.

McEveley had been recalled to the Derby starting line-up for Tuesday's game at the Riverside, but was hurt just 20 minutes into the 2-0 defeat.

He is due to undergo an operation on the injury on Wednesday and the Championship club expect the 23-year-old to be out for between six to eight weeks.

The former Blackburn youngster's absence merely compounds Rams boss Nigel Clough's injury problems, with Kris Commons also picking up a knock against Boro.

Commons had only returned to action after a month out with a calf injury at the weekend, but lasted just 11 minutes against Boro before being replaced due to a hamstring strain.

The latest casualties in Clough's squad leave the Derby manager's injury list running well into double figures ahead of Saturday's game at home to Queens Park Rangers.