Derby County midfield sensation is still recovering from the foot injury that he sustained in the Play-off final in May. The Rams had hoped that he would have been fit and able to play a part in the pre-season build up to the premiership campaign.

With just four weeks left until the Sunderland and Spurs kick off the 2007-08 Premier League season. Barnes has been ordered to rest for three weeks before the injury is reassessed and his rehabilitation programme adapted to get him fit to help the Rams fight for premiership survival.