Clough is preparing for his first pre-season in charge at Pride Park

Derby County manager Nigel Clough says injuries to two of his key players are hampering his preparations for the upcoming season.

Both winger Kris Commons and striker Rob Hulse are out of action at the moment, Commons has a hamstring injury and Hulse has a nagging groin problem.

Clough told BBC Radio Derby: "It's difficult because injuries are dictating that at the moment.

"We can't formulate too much until we get a clean bill of health."

The Rams go Chesterfield on Saturday for their latest pre-season friendly and Clough says neither player will be involved.

"Kris has not trained because of his hamstring but he also had a sickness bug," he said.

"Rob Hulse trained on Thursday but it flared up over night and he won't travel to Chesterfield on Saturday."

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