Derby manager Nigel Clough has hailed the resilience of Mark O'Brien as the teenager nears an early return from a serious knee injury.

O'Brien suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage in training in December. He underwent reconstructive surgery and was ruled out for the rest of the season

The 19-year-old, who had heart surgery in 2009 to repair a valve problem and last year had an ankle operation, could be running again by April and Clough is confident O'Brien will bounce back better and stronger from his latest setback.

"Mark is coming on great. He's off his crutches and well into his rehabilitation now," said the Derby boss. "He is a bit ahead of schedule, which doesn't surprise us given his character. He was off his crutches first chance he got and in the gym. Some injured players you have to push and cajole but Mark is one you have to hold back.

"His resilience is amazing for a 19-year-old. That is partly down to what he has gone though in the last couple of years but mainly down to his character and his upbringing.

"Whatever is thrown at him he just gets on with it. He bats off setbacks. He has the mental strength to say 'I am going to come back better and stronger from this'. And he will do. But we just have to be careful."