JAKE Buxton has been passed fit to start Derby County's 2014-15 Championship opener against Rotherham United.
Buxton missed the Rams' pre-season friendly win over Rangers last weekend due to a hip problem.
But the central defender has been named in Steve McClaren's side to face the newly-promoted Millers at the iPro Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
Will Hughes is expected to operate in the holding midfield role, with Real Madrid loanee Omar Mascarell having to settle for a place on the bench.
Meanwhile, Simon Dawkins gets the nod ahead of Jamie Ward on one of the flanks.
And there is a debut for summer signing Cyrus Christie at right-back.
Another new recruit, Leon Best, is also among the substitutes, as is Zak Whitbread, who has recovered from a cracked rib.
Former Derby midfielders Paul Green and Ben Pringle were both handed starts for Rotherham.
DERBY COUNTY: Grant, Christie, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Hughes, Hendrick, Bryson, Dawkins, Russell, Martin. Subs: Roos (gk), Whitbread, Eustace, Mascarell, Ward, Sammon, Best.
ROTHERHAM UNITED: Collin, Broadfoot, Morgan, Arnason, Skarz, Agard, Frecklington, Green, Pringle, Revell, Derbyshire. Subs: Loach (gk), Brindley, Wood, Hall, Bowery, Tidser, Swift.
REFEREE: A D'Urso (Essex).
