Porter on the mend

Derby striker Chris Porter is aiming to be back in action by the end of the year.

The 25-year-old has been sidelined since suffering a hip injury in March, but he is now back in training at Moor Farm. Porter underwent surgery in August and, after eight months out, the former Motherwell man is nearing a return.

He told the club's official website: "I'm close now; the aim is to be available in the next three weeks. I would say the next three weeks are quite crucial and as long as I don't have any set-backs I would hope to be available during mid-December."

He added: "I'll be made up if I am back by then, I've tried to keep quite fit but I know it will take me a few games to get into the swing of things.

"Four months (since his operation) will be 10 December and if I can come back around the Christmas period it will be an early Christmas present if you like, and given the amount of games taking place it will be a perfect time to get games under my belt."