PLAYER of the year Craig Bryson will miss Derby County's Championship play-off semi-final second leg against Brighton & Hove Albion due to injury.
Bryson, who has scored 16 goals from midfield this season, limped off in the dying moments of Thursday's first leg with a back problem and the Scotland international has failed a late fitness test.
That means Will Hughes is recalled to the Rams' starting line-up at the iPro Stadium (5.15pm) in the only change to Steve McClaren's team, who lead the tie 2-1.
Hughes' place on the bench is taken by defender Lee Naylor.
"It is a blow to have Craig Bryson unavailable because we know the qualities that he has and what he can bring to the side but on the flip-side of it, we know what Will Hughes can bring to the team as well," said Rams coach Paul Simpson.
"It's disappointing for Bryso but what a lift it is for Will.
"We're pleased that he managed to play 90 minutes at Leeds United last weekend to prepare him for today.
"Bryso was close to starting. He had a fitness test this morning and things looked positive but when he went home for some lunch his back stiffened up straight away.
"We can't afford to take any risks because this is a massive game for us and we need players available that we believe can last the 90 minutes.
"Injuries are part and parcel of football and we just have to deal with it - we are all looking forward to seeing Will play today."
Simpson added: "We're 2-1 up but there is a long, long way to go.
"The iPro Stadium is going to be bouncing today and we can't wait.
"We have given ourselves a chance and we need to start on the front foot.
"I am sure the fans will play their part as well.
"It is an exciting time and we're all looking forward to the game getting underway."
Brighton boss Oscar Garcia makes two changes to his side, with Lewis Dunk replacing the injured Matthew Upson (ankle( and Rohan Ince preferred to Jake Forster-Caskey in midfield.
DERBY COUNTY: Grant, Wisdom, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Thorne, Hendrick, Hughes, J Ward, Russell, Martin. Subs: Legzdins (gk), Naylor, Whitbread, Eustace, Dawkins, Bamford, Sammon.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION: Kuszczak, Calderon, Greer, Dunk, S Ward, Ince, Andrews, Orlandi, Buckley, Lingard, Ulloa. Subs: Brezovan (gk), Chicksen, March, LuaLua, Forster-Caskey, Agustien, Mackail-Smith.
REFEREE: C Pawson (South Yorkshire).
