Fabrizio Ravanelli is in contention for his first start for Derby since August 17 against Albion tomorrow.

The Italian striker, a target for Portsmouth, made his comeback from an Achilles injury as a second half substitute in last Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Pompey.

He had a 70 minute run-out in the reserves against Charlton on Tuesday and is keen to play after recently resolving a dispute via clear-the-air talks with boss John Gregory.

Ravanelli, reputedly on £40,000 a week, has agreed to a pay deferral. "I want to help the club because they have financial problems," said the former Juventus and Middlesbrough star. "I want to put the club before myself.

"Taking a 20 to 25 per cent pay deferral is no problem at all because all that matters is making sure the club is all right. The injury feels much better now and it was very important for me to get back on the pitch.

"Now I want to give my all for Derby because I believe in this club and this team. I had a meeting with the manager and the club and we are all clear about the way forward. I want to put the last few months behind me and just concentrate on playing for Derby, because I love the club and their fans."

Norwegian defender Bjorn Otto Bragstad leaves next month after agreeing a contract settlement as the Rams continue to count the cost of relegation from the Premiership last season. They are also trying to reach a settlement with Belgian international Branko Strupar, who is sidelined by cruciate knee ligament damage.

Three more injury victims, Scottish internationals Craig Burley and Brian O'Neil plus Finnish international midfielder Simo Valakari, made comebacks in the reserves on Tuesday.

Leading marksman Malcolm Christie is back in the frame as well after missing the last four matches with a knee injury, while Bobby Zamora's England under 21 colleague Chris Riggott returned from foot trouble as a substitute against Portsmouth.

Ex-Albion playmaker Gregory has to decide whether to keep faith in 18-year-old Academy find Izale McLeod and Lee Morris up front.

Morris was on target twice in the Rams' last away outing, a 3-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday, which took their record on the road to three victories and only one defeat in the last five games.

Mart Poom serves the second of a two-match ban tomorrow following his second red card of the season in the recent reverse at Millwall, so 19-year-old Lee Grant deputises in goal.

Young right wingback Lewis Hunt is ruled out by an ankle injury sustained early on against Pompey. That was Derby's fourth defeat of the season at Pride Park and eighth in the League in total. Gregory's midfield trio includes the experienced Rob Lee and the enigmatic Georgian Giorgi Kinkladze.