The 6 players set to miss Derby County v Sheffield Wednesday | OneFootball

David Ozoh is among the players set to miss Sunday's fixture at Pride Park, with the Owl's missing key defenders.

Sheffield Wednesday make the short trip to Pride Park on Sunday as they take on Derby County in an opportunity for both teams to move up a congested Championship table.

The Rams can leapfrog their visitors with a win, though have failed to do so in their last four attempts in this exact fixture, a quartet of draws frustrating the home side.

Wednesday head into this fixture with the greater form and league position, having beaten Hull City in midweek.

Despite this, Derby have both scored more and conceded less than this weekend's opponents, seemingly less economical with their results. The Rams lost 2-1 to Swansea on Wednesday evening, having trailed from just the second minute of the game.

On paper, this match would prove difficult to call at the best of times. However, with multiple absentees from each side, does the balance tip in either club's favour?

Ryan Nyambe

Namibian international Ryan Nyambe, who is out until next year with a knee injury, is currently the only member of Paul Warne's squad not training in some capacity.

"Jake Rooney has trained and I just think it's Ryan Nyambe who is out," the manager stated ahead of their midweek clash.

The 26-year-old, who sustained a knee injury in October, is due to be out until April.

David Ozoh

Despite returning to the practice pitch last week, it sounds as though Crystal Palace loanee David Ozoh will not be rushed back to first-team football.

The Derby boss ensured to caveat the intensity of his training as not to anger his parent club.

He said: "Ozoh did train, but not a full session before there is an absolute meltdown by anybody who reads this."

The 19-year-old was a crucial asset for the Derbyshire side when fit, starting each of his temporary side's opening five league fixtures before suffering a hamstring injury against Cardiff in September.

His comments strongly imply that as things stand, he should be back sooner rather than later, but perhaps eased in from the bench.

Warne added: "He's been out for 10 weeks and you'd do very well to come back training two days before a game and then play. I don't think that's realistic. But if three players came down with flu and I had to put him on the bench then I would."

The imminent return of the teenage midfielder will be a huge boost for County, but understandably, he doesn't want to take unnecessary risks with the former England U18's career.

Akin Famewo

Compared to their opponents, the Owls' selection is a little more complicated, with several first-team players out, making for a depleted back four.

Akin Famewo is nowhere near returning, out with a muscle injury sustained late last month. Shortly after the blow, Danny Röhl stated: “We speak about months at the moment. It is a big one.”

Di'Shon Bernard

Fellow centre-half Di’Shon Bernard has picked up a suspension for accumulation of yellow cards, leaving the Yorkshire club with limited options at the back.

The card, accrued in the 69th minute for stopping a counter-attack, was his fifth of the season, warranting a one-match ban.

=Warne was reportedly in attendance on Tuesday night, presumably the happiest man in the stadium watching the Jamaican international enter the book.

Michael Ihiekwe

Having returned to training, Michael Ihiekwe is still a doubt. An achilles injury has seen the defender out since September.

Wednesday's defensive situation may mean that for a relatively intact Derby County squad, this is a better time than any to play their mid-table rivals.

Olaf Kobacki

Polish winger Olaf Kobacki is still nursing a muscle injury. The new signing from Arka Gdynia has had a frustrating start to the season, yet to score or assist in Wednesday colours.

A training injury sustained in October is presumed to see the wide man return at some point in December.