Stoke manager Tony Pulis is expected to all-but abandon his squad rotation policy for the Carling Cup as a Wembley date comes closer for the Potteries side.
Pulis made wholesale changes for the two previous rounds against Reading and Rotherham, retaining only two of his first-choice Premier League side for the clash with the Millers.
But the reality of being just three games from Wembley - the last time Stoke were there was when they beat Chelsea in the League Cup final of 1972 - is persuading Pulis to use his top stars against Derby at the Britannia Stadium.
Having performed magnificently in their return to the top flight, losing just two of 10 home games this term, the chance to crown their campaign with a cup final appearance is too tempting for Pulis.
Stoke have won five of their last six home games, and will be favourites to reach the last four despite Derby's resurgent form this term under Paul Jewell, having been relegated from the top flight last season.
Pulis said: "We are desperate to win this one, and get to the semi-finals.
"It would be a fantastic achievement. We will be going for the win and my side will reflect that."
He added: "This is a massive game for this club, and a game we will be desperately trying to win in front of our own supporters.
"When they are at their best they can make a major impact on results for us, and I hope they are in good voice this time."
Stoke will be without striker Dave Kitson, who is still recovering from a knee injury, while midfielder Michael Tonge is cup-tied. Pulis may well include second-choice goalkeeper Steve Simonsen in place of Thomas Sorensen, while Irish midfielder Glenn Whelan could figure.
But Pulis will not tinker too much with the side which drew at home with Hull on Saturday.
That game saw striker Ricardo Fuller reunited with attacking partner Mamady Sidibe after suspension, and the big hit-man responded with the winner against the Tigers.
Now Fuller wants to grab some more limelight, saying: "We have had a good cup run so far, and hopefully we can continue that run against Derby.
"I hope that it will be another really good day for us, the chance to reach the semi-final and even the final is our motivation now."
Pulis added: "This is a rare opportunity for this club to reach the semi-finals of a major competition, and we are determined to take it.
"We all know that Derby have been through the mill as a club in the last year or so, but the fact remains that Paul Jewell was a good manager and he is still a good manager.
"For me he is clearly the man to bring the good times back to the club. And they will look at this match and believe they can win it, so we have to be on top of our game from the start."
