CHRIS McCann starts his first game of the season following reconstructive knee ligament surgery last summer.

The midfielder has played only 100 minutes since September 2009 after suffering a series of knee injuries which led to him needing an operation in August last year after breaking down for a third time during Burnley's pre-season trip to Singapore.

The 23-year-old began his comeback in the reserves four games ago, and came off on the hour of the second string's midweek win over Accrington Stanley.

Today marks the completion of McCann's long road to recovery as he is named in the starting line-up to face Derby County at Pride Park this afternoon, coming in for the injured Dean Marney.

The midfielder took a knock in the Clarets' 3-1 win over Middlesbrough on Tuesday night and, unlike Andre Bikey and Chris Eagles who limped off in the second half, has failed to recover in time.

Although Wade Elliott keeps his place in the side, defender Michael Duff is the fifth Burnley player this season to take the captain's armband in the absence of Marney and substitutes Graham Alexander and Clarke Carlisle.

Andre Bikey and Chris Eagles have recovered from the knocks they took against Boro DERBY: Brad Jones, John Brayford, Shaun Barker, Steven Davies, Robbie Savage, Theo Robinson, Jamie Ward, Stephen Pearson, Russell Anderson, James Bailey, Daniel Ayala.

Subs: Ross Atkins, Callum Ball, Miles Addison, Conor Doyle, Alberto Bueno, Ben Davies, Jeff Hendrick.

BURNLEY: Brian Jensen, Tyrone Mears, Danny Fox, Michael Duff, Andre Bikey, Wade Elliott, Chris McCann, Jack Cork, Chris Eagles, Jay Rodriguez, Chris Iwelumo.

Subs: Lee Grant, Graham Alexander, Clarke Carlisle, Ross Wallace, Nathan Delfouneso, Steven Thompson, David Edgar