Stoke midfielder Rory Delap has captured the headlines on the club's return to the big time this season with his speciality long-throws.

A host of big-name defenders have been caught out by the missiles Delap hurls with pace and precision into the area.

Now it is Jewell's Derby who will be on the receiving end when the Rams face Stoke at the Britannia Stadium for a place in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup.

Jewell concedes to having his own ideas on how to combat Delap, but knows his plans could fall flat.

"People have asked me throughout the season how you defend against it, and without any pressure I've been telling them," said Jewell.

"But now all of a sudden I have to do it, so we will see whether it works or not. Who knows? We might end up with egg on our faces.

"The beauty of Delap's throw is that it's flat, comes in at around 40 miles per hour, and it's difficult to defend.

"With so much pace on the ball they can score with just a touch or from an own goal. Even if you get the first touch it could end up in the back of the net.

"It's a major threat, a real weapon that has got people thinking and wishing they all had a player like Delap.

"They've had success from it, but I've my ideas on what we should do, and whether it works or not we will find out, but we're going to have to be brave."

Asked if his plan was unique, Jewell replied: "I don't know about that," before joking "It's nothing great!"

The Rams head into the game with a place in the last four for the first time in 40 years in their sights.

Jewell, though, knows what it is like to go all the way as he took Wigan to the final against Manchester United in 2006, only for it to become a day to forget, and one he has not revisited since.

"We lost our goalkeeper (Mike Pollitt) to a hamstring injury after a few minutes, were 1-0 down at half-time and then conceded three goals in six minutes just after the break," reflected Jewell.

"We lost 4-0, with the last half hour one of the longest of my life.

"Although I was proud to lead the team out, in the end it wasn't a fun place to be, one of my worst football days.

"I've never once watched the DVD. I've not been able to bring myself to watch it, and I'll never watch it."

Jewell remains without three key central defenders in Dean Leacock (groin), Martin Albrechtsen (calf) and Claude Davis (hamstring).

Two on-loan players - Charlton striker Luke Varney and Arsenal midfielder Nacer Barazite - are cup-tied, but West Ham defender James Tompkins, who joined last week, is in the squad.