Suspension Confirmed

Jermain Defoe will miss Trevor Brooking's last two games in charge following his sending off at Gillingham on Saturday.

Confirms Trevor: "For the verbal it is a two match ban - dangerous play is three - so he will miss Derby away and my last game, at home to Norwich.

"But David Connolly is not suspended. The referee has looked at the booking against Crewe and didn't process it because he thought it was an accidental collision with the keeper.

"So he is still on four - and not due a suspension unless he picks another one up.

"Naturally, from my point of view, I am hoping he doesn't pick one up against Millwall or Palace because he would miss Norwich, the same as Jermain - and it would be a blow if they are both out."

Trevor hopes that the hardworking Neil Mellor will have opened his account at Upton Park by the time Jermain misses out, and adds: "Neil came back from his tonsillitis well on Tuesday and showed his ability, and I think Richard Garcia did well in the last 10 or 12 minutes when he came on - I think that is his position, up front, and he has done quite well in a couple of reserve games."

Trevor does feel, however, that more recruits are needed, and adds: "I think the area of any additions is something Alan will have looked at when he takes over, and we do have the opportunity of loan signings.

"But we want to use them at the right time - you could suddenly get an injury at the back and need a defender, or up front and need an attacker.

"You don't want to lock yourself in too early, and if you bring players in on loan you want to get the quality of someone who wants to play rather than just sit around being a squad member as they were at the club they have come from.

"So it is a case of doing it at the right time; I am sure we will bring two or three in but you have also got Michael Carrick and Steve Lomas coming back soon.

"I would like to feel the squad, by the end of October, will be a good reflection of how we want to get through.

"But you also have to have that loan signing up your sleeve that fills a gap because of an injury."