Derby County's promotion push continues this weekend as they welcome Bolton Wanderers to the iPro Stadium hoping to climb to the summit of the Championship table.

Current leaders Bournemouth travel to Wigan Athletic at the same time on Saturday, but any slip-up from the Cherries would give the Rams the chance to move into a sole lead at the top.

Only goal difference separates the two sides as things stand, with Derby moving back up into the automatic promotion places courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Cardiff City last weekend.

That made it three consecutive 2-0 wins for Steve McClaren's side, who have now conceded just two goals and kept seven clean sheets in their last eight matches - a run that stretches back to before Christmas.

Derby fans will be hoping that their manager is not distracted by speculation linking him with the vacant Queens Park Rangers post, although having already reportedly rejected the advances of Newcastle United this season, McClaren is unlikely to have his head turned by events at Loftus Road.

Indeed, the way things are going, Derby look more likely to be in the Premier League next season than QPR do, and an eighth win in nine outings this weekend would only strengthen their position further.

Ipswich Town's failure to beat Wigan last weekend gave the Rams a hint of breathing space from one of the four main contenders for automatic promotion, but Middlesbrough continue to chase and are just one point behind the top two, who face each other in a mouth-watering clash on Tuesday.

Anything less than three points for Derby would open the door for Boro, then, but the Rams will be confident of picking up a win at the iPro as they boast the second best home record in the division.

McClaren was relatively busy on transfer deadline day and loan signings Thomas Ince and Jesse Lingard could both be thrown in from the start, while Cyrus Christie is also expected to return to the side.

Darren Bent may have to settle for a place on the bench once again, however, despite having scored eight goals in his last seven games against Bolton and 11 in the league against them overall - more than he has managed against any other team.

Bolton, meanwhile, will need to pick themselves up after the disappointment of crashing out of the FA Cup courtesy of a late comeback from Liverpool on Wednesday night.

The Trotters were just five minutes away from another major shock in the fourth round, but goals from Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho saw the Premier League outfit through after Neil Danns had earlier been sent off.

Danns is suspended for this weekend's match as a result, joining a lengthy list of absentees that includes the likes of Darren Pratley, Max Clayton, Adam Bogdan and Emile Heskey. Craig Davies and Mark Davies are also doubts through injury.

Neil Lennon will have a raft of new signings available, however, as he looks to halt a run of four games without a win in all competitions.

Bolton are one of six teams locked on 34 points in the middle of the Championship table, but one win in their last five league games represents a downturn in form from the early days of Lennon's tenure.

Last weekend saw them concede a 95th-minute screamer to draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers, while a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Rotherham United in their most recent away game was another major disappointment.

Just one clean sheet in their last six games is a far cry from the five they kept in the seven outings prior to that, and Lennon will want to restore the sort of defensive solidity that saw his side climb away from danger initially.

They are, however, without a win in their last 10 visits to Derby, losing six and drawing four in that time. They were also beaten 2-0 in the reverse fixture in September, with Chris Martin getting both goals.

Captain Matt Mills is expected to return to his more familiar defensive role having been played up front against Liverpool, while new signings Barry Bannan and Adam le Fondre are also likely to start.

The latter of those should partner Zach Clough up front after the youngster scored a brace in the last league game and won the penalty in an all-round impressive performance during the week.

Derby:

Form in Championship: WWWLWW
Form in all competitions: WWLWWW

Possible starting lineup: Grant; Christie, Buxton, Keogh, Forsyth; Hendrick, Mascarell, Hughes; Ince, Martin, Lingard

Bolton:

Form in Championship: WLDWLD
Form in all competitions: DWDLDL

Possible starting lineup: Lonergan; Vela, Dervite, Mills, Ream; Feeney, Bannan, Trotter, Moxey; Clough, Le Fondre

Sports Mole says: 3-1

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