Derby boss Wayne Rooney saluted returning George Edmundson after the on-loan Rangers defender declared himself available just 11 days after a hernia operation.
The Ibrox defender joined the Championship side for a short spell but his stint has been cruelly interrupted by fitness issues.
Manchester United legend Rooney expected to be without the centre-back for three weeks following the procedure.
But he returned to action as a sub and played almost an hour against Preston North End on Tuesday.
The Rams went down 3-0 but Rooney insists he was impressed by the 23-year-old Rangers star's commitment.
Rooney said: "George had been in the treatment room this week and insisted he was ready to go on the bench if we needed him for the last 10 minutes.
"When a player wants to play, and given where we are in the table, wants to show that courage to play, I had no issue in putting him on the bench.
"He played longer than we expected, but he has come through really well and he will be available for Saturday."
Edmundson has made eight appearances for the Pride Park side since his move from Rangers on deadline day in the January transfer window.
He was handed a seven-match ban from the SFA in November along with club teammate Jordan Jones - who is also on loan at Sunderland now - for breaking Covid-19 restrictions.
