With Mark O'Brien, James O'Connor and Shaun Barker all out with knee injuries, Kieron Freeman expected to be out for around a month after suffering a twisted ankle against Bolton in midweek and Gareth Roberts serving the final game of a three-match ban, the Rams are down to the bare bones at the back.
Buxton has sat out the last three matches after returning from an eight-week absence with knee ligament damage earlier than expected against Sheffield Wednesday on February 9, but the centre-back is set to resume training on Friday.
If Buxton is fit that would allow John Brayford to revert from centre-back to his usual right-back role. Should Buxton not make it, Brayford would continue alongside Richard Keogh at the heart of the defence and midfielder Ben Davies would replace Freeman at right-back - as he did after 29 minutes against Bolton on Tuesday night.
Elsewhere, teenage midfielder Will Hughes remains a doubt for Saturday. The 17-year-old missed his first game of the season in midweek after a groin strain forced him off during the goalless draw with Wolves last weekend.
