"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.