Mowatt was absent from the squad which was named to face Stoke City as the Rams went in search of their first home win of the season

Alex Mowatt was missing for Derby County this afternoon due to a minor foot injury.

The former West Brom man was absent from the squad which was named to face Stoke City as the Rams went in search of their first home win of the season.

Mowatt played in the last two games against Wrexham and in the 4-1 defeat to QPR on Wednesday which left Derby in the relegation zone.

He is the latest problem to affect Derby's squad which has been decimated by injuries with Sondre Langas having been ruled out for three months with a groin problem.

Eight out of the 10 injuries Derby currently have has impacted the defence which left John Eustace having to name Ryan Nyambe in the heart of the defence alongside Dion Sanderson.

That is because Matt Clarke, Eiran Cashin and Langas are all out. However, Derby have attempted to mitigate the issues by signing former Birmingham City defender Jack Robinson on a free transfer.

He signed a three-month deal earlier today having been a free agent following his exit from the Blues.