New boys set for Rams bow

Kris Commons is set to make his Derby debut in Saturday's friendly with Mansfield, while trialist John Oster should also feature.

Commons, who joined from rivals Nottingham Forest in the close season has not featured in any of the club's friendlies against TOP Oss, Burton Albion, Rotherham United and Oldham United, due to a hamstring injury.

However the 24-year-old winger returned to training this week and is in the squad to face his home-town club at Field Mill on Saturday at 3pm.

The news will be a boost for boss Paul Jewell, who has been without defenders Alan Stubbs and Claude Davis this summer due to injury, while Paul Connolly missed the recent Oldham game with a shin problem.

New striker Rob Hulse is expected to link up alongside Nathan Ellington in attack, while 29-year-old Oster should also play his third game on trial after featuring against the Latics and Rotherham.

"We may involve him at Mansfield and then we will speak and make a decision," said Jewell.

"If I was not interested in him as a player, he would not be here."