A neck injury forced wicket-keeper Tim Ambrose to miss Derbyshire's second innings as Rikki Clarke helped the home side to 323-5 at stumps on day three.
The England glovesman scored 34 not out batting at eight in the visitors' first innings of 310, but was replaced in the field by teenager Richard Johnson.
However, the 25-year-old is confident he will be fit for England's first Test against New Zealand at Lord's.
"Hopefully it will clear up in the next couple of days," said Ambrose.
"The physio knows a lot more about these things than I do and he is confident that will be the case."
Ambrose's absence took the gloss off a fighting century from Jonathan Trott, who finished on 104.
The South African-born batsman was eventually dismissed by Tim Lungley, who finished the day with 4-70.
Derbyshire were teetering on the brink when Freddie Klokker joined captain Clarke at 61-3, but the pair registered a 134-run stand to calm the home side's nerves.
Clarke eventually fell to a slower ball from Darren Maddy, but Chris Rogers - who had earlier retired on 10 after a blow to the helmet from Neil Carter - returned to continue the onslaught.
The Australian was eventually dismissed for 64, edging Carter to Johnson, but former Warwickshire wicket-keeper Klokker remains unbeaten on 76.
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