HAMMERS will be without midfielder Matthew Etherington for around three weeks, as he recovers from an operation on his groin, writes Laura Burkin.
Etherington underwent keyhole surgery earlier in the season, and although the operation sorted out the problem at the time, Etherington has been further troubled in recent weeks with the same injury.
Explaining why Etherington needed more surgery, Hammers boss Alan Pardew said: "It was a recurrence of the injury Matty had earlier in the season that the surgery he had then, did not pick up."
Defender Christian Dailly has returned to light training along with midfielder Steve Lomas and Teddy Sheringham.
Carl Fletcher sat out Saturday's defeat at Wolves because of a one-match suspension, but Pardew will have to wait to see if he has also recovered from a knock picked up in the FA Cup victory over Norwich.
Pardew is also expected to keep Jimmy Walker in goal against Derby despite the four goal defeat against Wolves.
He said: "Jimmy has been terrific in the games he's played.
"I went for him because of his experience and that may be important to us in the run-in.
"It wasn't a great day for Jimmy at Wolves and he knows that.
"Stephen Bywater needs a bit of a breather and while Jimmy will be disappointed with himself, especially about the second goal on Saturday, he's a top pro and will show that next week."
