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Derby v Middlesbrough

Published: Monday, 15 March 2010, 5:31PM


Martin to continue for Rams

David Martin will continue in goal for Derby when Middlesbrough visit Pride Park.

The on-loan Liverpool keeper made his debut in the 2-1 defeat at Doncaster on Saturday in the absence of Stephen Bywater and Saul Deeney.

Bywater remains out with the back problem that forced him off during the early stages of the defeat at Reading five days ago while Deeney comes back into the reckoning after suspension and will replace academy product James Severn on the bench.

"David will continue in goal. What he did have to do on Saturday he did very well," said boss Nigel Clough. "Saul is back and will be on the bench but Stephen isn`t quite ready.

"He is having treatment and we are optimistic he will be available for Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend."

Middlesbrough will be without Willo Flood and Jeremie Aliadiere.

The duo sustained injuries in the 1-0 defeat at Cardiff earlier this month, with Flood unlikely to play this season after suffering a small tear in his posterior cruciate knee ligament.

French forward Aliadiere suffered a broken toe in that clash and faces around six weeks on the sidelines.

But Scott McDonald will be hoping to retain his place in the starting line-up after recovering from a hernia operation in time to score his first goal for the club in Saturday's 2-2 draw with rivals Newcastle.

Chris Riggott (hamstring) could again be named on the bench, but Emanuel Pogatetz's availability remains unclear as he continues to battle against a knee problem.