Derby County vs Birmingham - Rams duo return to training

Posted Friday, December 23, 2016 by PA

Derby are boosted by the return to training of Nick Blackman and Ikechi Anya ahead of their Christmas fixtures against Birmingham and Wigan.

Both players have been sidelined by knee injuries. Forward Blackman has not played since October 1 while midfielder Anya has missed the last seven games. Tuesday's match against Birmingham will come too soon for both men but it is possible Anya could feature against the Latics on New Year's Eve.

Left-back Max Lowe remains sidelined by a groin problem and will not be considered for the visit of Blues.

Derby boss Steve McClaren has the likes of Jason Shackell, Will Hughes, Darren Bent and Andreas Weimann vying for recalls should he wish to make changes to his starting line-up.

Gianfranco Zola's Birmingham travel with Lukas Jutkiewicz now fully on board after the striker's loan from Burnley was made permanent.

Jutkiewicz has scored six goals in 17 games for the Blues, including in Zola's first game in charge, a 2-1 home loss to Brighton, when Clayton Donaldson (leg) was missing.

Diego Fabbrini (groin) and Paul Caddis (shoulder) have been absent of late, while Stephen Gleeson (toe) was subbed late on in the loss to Brighton.

Jacques Maghoma could be included before his involvement in January's African Nations Cup with the Democratic Republic of Congo.