An injury to James Bailey could force Derby into making a loan signing.
The midfielder had started all of the Rams' Championship matches before missing the 2-0 defeat at Midlands rivals Coventry on Saturday after turning an ankle in training last week.
"James is struggling with his ankle and we will know a bit more this week about how long he is going to be out," said Rams boss Nigel Clough. "If we feel as though we need a loan and can get the right one, we will try and do that."
He added: "There is a chance of that happening but it will depend on the loan and how long James is going to be out. We have got four games now until the next international break in October, so we will assess it this week.
"It (a loan) is something we have to look at in certain positions and midfield is one of those positions at the moment. Russell Anderson is back in the squad to cover at centre-half and Nathan Tyson is close to fitness to give us another option up front but we are still a little bit light in midfield."
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