Craig Bentham will be handed his first start of the season against Chesterfield tomorrow.

The combative midfielder gets the nod to replace the in-form Steve Schumacher, who misses out after receiving a fifth yellow card.

Bentham forced his way into the side in the final two months of last term and impressed with his hard-running approach.

But his hopes of building on that six-game run were shattered when he damaged cruciate knee ligaments in a friendly against Darlington in July.

The 21-year-old did not reappear until last month when he made a surprise appearance from the bench in the FA Cup thrashing of Crewe.

Bentham had another late run-out in extra-time at Millwall on Tuesday and Colin Todd believe he is ready to step up.

"Craig is that type of player who will always give you 100 per cent," said the City boss.

"His work rate and ethic is very good and I know he's going to enjoy it.

"It's been a tough time for him after getting injured in pre-season. He has missed a lot of matches but he's very determined and will do a good job.

"We're sorry to lose Schuey because he has shown very good consistency. His partnership with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson has worked well and those two have been the hub of the team."

Todd is likely to be pushed into another change from the side that performed so well in defeat at the New Den.

Ben Parker is struggling with a hamstring injury which could mean a first league start for Matt Clarke at left back.

Richard Edghill is also available but Clarke, who has done the role frequently with Darlington, took over from Parker on Tuesday and is expected to stay in.

But the good news on the injury front is a possible return to the squad for Lee Holmes, who has been frustrated by a nagging ankle problem.

The on-loan Derby winger came back for one game against Millwall but the injury flared again in training and he was ruled out of all three matches in London.

Holmes should be fit enough to make the bench but there is no David Graham after a bang on the ankle.

Tomorrow's clash once again reunites the central-defensive pairing behind Derby's title success in the early 1970s as Todd spars off against Roy McFarland.

Todd said: "We've known each other for many years and still keep in touch regularly. But that friendship goes out the window for 90 minutes because we are both winners.

"It's always a good incentive going into a game that a win will put you above your opponents in the table."