Steve Bruce made that abundantly clear, warning of the dangers of complacency time and again during his 20-minute media briefing at the club's training ground. "It ain't over," said Bruce. "It certainly ain't over." All the same, the first goal tonight promises to carry enormous significance. Derby would surely be dead and buried if the aggregate score went to 4-0 but there would be the inevitable tensions were the Rams to strike the first blow.
Even then the odds would be stacked against Darren Wassall's side. Only one of 28 visitors to the KC Stadium this season has scored three goals and that was Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth round.Derby, of course, managed two here in November, but taking attacking risks could well play into City's hands. The tie is very much theirs to lose so long as none are already thinking of Wembley.
Hull City team news
Allan McGregor is again expected to miss out as Hull City bid to book their place in the Championship play-off final with a likely unchanged XI.McGregor missed Saturday's 3-0 win at Derby County with a back injury suffered in City's final training session ahead of the game. Manager Steve Bruce has not ruled out his Scotland international of a comeback but reiterated that no risks will be taken.
That points to Jakupovic taking the gloves for tomorrow night's clash with the Rams behind the same outfield players that won handsomely at the iPro Stadium at the weekend.Bruce reported no fresh injury concerns and the squad rotation that preceded the play-offs should ensure there is freshness within City's ranks.
David Meyler (pictured) is hoping for a recall to the bench after not making the 18-man squad on the back of a recent hamstring injury but there was also no place for Isaac Hayden and Adama Diomande in a near full-strength squad.Nick Powell (hamstring) is the only player definitely not available to face the Rams.
Derby County team news
Head coach Darren Wassall is weighing up attacking changes to his Derby County side for tomorrow evening's play-off semi-final second leg at the KC Stadium.The Rams were soundly beaten in their own backyard during Saturday's first leg and must score at least three times tomorrow night to stand any chance of reaching Wembley.
Wassall has the same squad to select from as he plans a miraculous fightback in East Yorkshire but could freshen up his forward line, with a change of his attacking options likely.Strikers Darren Bent (pictured) and Nick Blackman were among the substitutes at the weekend, while former Aston Villa star Andreas Weimann is also available.
A midfield reshuffle is also a possibility after City won that battle at the weekend.Jacob Butterfield, who scored twice when the teams met at the KC Stadium in November, is one player under consideration, as is Republic of Ireland international Jeff Hendrick.George Thorne (broken leg) remains an absentee and will return in 2016-17.
Key battle - Michael Dawson v Chris Martin
A clean-sheet at the iPro Stadium on Saturday lunchtime has taken Hull City within touching distance of Wembley and another tight defensive effort tomorrow night can seal the deal.
Captain Michael Dawson, ably partnered by Curtis Davies, barely put a foot out of place in the first leg, helping to ensure Eldin Jakupovic did not have a save to make until the 80th minute.Derby played into City's hands after the break, launching high balls for striker Chris Martin, who often found himself outnumbered and isolated in the final third.
Martin is capable of hurting City if given better support at the KC Stadium tomorrow evening and the Tigers' experienced central defenders have to be wise to his dangers, with an eye on others looking to take advantage. See More
