The Rams’ seven match unbeaten run came to an end today with a 3-2 reverse at Blackpool. Sterjovski entered the fray on 66 minutes with his team trailing 3-1.

He netted 10 minutes later – a simple tap in – but Derby couldn’t find another goal to rescue a point.

Sterjovski has struggled for any kind of involvement at Derby this season and it is no secret that Gold Coast United would love to bring him home.

However, Sterjovski’s chances of further action at Derby appear to have been boosted with manager Paul Jewell looking to make changes ahead of a hectic run of matches.

The Blackpool match was the first of six matches in 19 days for Derby and Jewell says he is mindful of not leaving players exhausted.

He told the Derby Telegraph: “In an ideal world you would like to say it's the same team week in, week out because it means things are going well but we have got some young players in the side and an awful lot of matches coming up.

"We'll look at things but our rest and recovery is important over the next few weeks.

"We'll take it on a game-by-game basis. Results can dictate team selection but I also have to look at the bigger picture.

"If someone's standards are dropping a little bit or they are looking a bit tired it might in the long term be a benefit to us and the player to give him a break."

Ruben Zadkovich wasn’t involved at Blackpool, despite having been on the bench at the weekend in Derby’s 2-1 win over Plymouth.