Kris set to return for Rams

[David]

Kris Commons could make his first appearance of pre-season for Derby County towards the end of this week.

A tight hamstring has sidelined the forward and he has yet to feature in any of the seven games so far.

Manager Nigel Clough hopes the Scottish international can have some match action soon.

“Kris trained last Friday but did not join in the football side of it,” said Clough.

"Hopefully he can start that today.

“He has done three or four days running – he has got some catching up to do in that area – and we hope he will be on the pitch on Thursday or Friday this week, possibly both.”

Derby play Burton Albion in the Bass Vase on Thursday and then Alfreton Town at the Impact Arena the following day.

Dean Leacock has not been seen in a Rams shirt since playing 45 minutes at Burton on July 11.

The defender was out for eight months with groin and pelvic problems, and felt some discomfort a few days after facing Burton.

“Dean will start some light work this week,” said Clough.

“The matches on Thursday and Friday might be a bit soon for him but we have got a game at Solihull next week and at worst we would hope he plays in that.”

The game against Solihull Moors, the Blue Square North club, is on Tuesday, August 4, kick off 7.45pm.

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