Derby County have received a big fitness boost heading into Saturday’s East Midlands encounter against Nottingham Forest.

The club’s captain Richard Keogh has been passed fit after missing the last four games with a calf strain.

The 30-year-old defender was on a run of 105 consecutive league starts when he was struck with the injury during Derby’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa on February 25.

With one of the biggest games on the Rams’ calendar scheduled for this weekend, it is positive news to have Keogh back in contention.

The Derby Telegraph quotes Keogh as saying:

"It has been a good recovery and I am quite lucky in that respect because I heal quite well. The rehab went well and for the Brighton game there was a big chance I could maybe play but for whatever reason we decided it wasn't worth the risk."

Not only does the game give one of the competitors bragging rights, it is the first clash for both clubs’ new managers.

Derby recently appointed ex-Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett as their new man in charge following the sacking of Steve McClaren.

The Rams will be heading to the City Ground to take on a team that will be playing under Mark Warburton for the first time.

The 54-year-old, who controversially left Rangers last month, was named as the permanent successor to Philippe Montanier.

As it stands, Derby sit 10th in the Championship table, 10 points adrift of the playoff places, while Forest are struggling at the bottom.

Back-to-back defeats have left them just two points above the relegation zone.

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