Any one or two from a dozen for the Rams
Last updated : 25 June 2007 By Rams Mad Editor
 | David Nugent maybe a bit on the pricey side for the Rams |
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According to the media Derby County are interested in a dozen players before the Premier League starts on 11th August, just 47 days from today.The Rams main target has to be another striker to partner Steve Howard. Howard the Rams player of the year last season is in desperate need of a strike partner. David Nugent, Robert Earnshaw, Francis Jeffers and Ricardo Vas Te have been mentioned but no firm confirmation or denial of interest has been forthcoming from official Derby County Sources.
Tyrone Mears has yet to put pen to paper in the rumoured £1m deal that would see
 | Tyrone Mears yet to sign up full time for Derby |
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him move on a permanent basis to Pride Park from West Ham. The Hammers feature in more rumours of players making the move to Derbyshire, Matthew Etherington being another player said to be being looked at by the Rams.Liverpool's midfielder Saif Diao may be added to the Rams midfield if rumours are to be believed. The 30-year-old Senegalese International has spent most of last season on loan in the Championship with Stoke but the Potteries side has not offered a contact to the player yet. Lee Hendry is another midfielder who is nearly begging the Rams to take him on a free transfer from Aston Villa. Hendry is reported to be desperate to stay in the Midlands and in the Premiership
In goal rumours of Craig Gordon, the Hearts 24-year-old Goalkeeper coming to Pride Park may be just rumour. Billy Davies however has a record of signing Scottish players since moving to Pride Park and with rumour of Rams number 2 Lee Camp moving to QPR, The Scottish International goalkeeper would make a very good replacement. Stephen Bywater the 26 year old Rams first choice goalkeeper would undoubtedly make it hard for Gordon to claim a starting position after a superb season in the Rams promotional season.
 | Claude Davis could cost up to £3.5 million |
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Defence may see some new blood, | Andy O'Brien in the frame again for a move to Derby |
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even if the players coming in are on the old side. A huge rumour has Claude Davies (28) of Sheffield United making the short trip down to Derby. The Jamaican International cost United £2.5m from Preston a year ago and may be prised away from Sheffield for around £2.5 to £3.5m. Long time rumour Andy O'Brien may also be on Billy Davies's shopping list. The Portsmouth defender is coming up for his 28th Birthday in four days time but with International experience with Ireland he may well interest Davies again.The waiting game continues at Pride Park and the fans continue to sweat over the side that will take to the field against Portsmouth on the 11th August.
The full list of a dozen potential target players are: Lee Hendry (Aston Villa) Mattew Etherington (West Ham) Francis Jeffers (Blackburn Rovers) Saif Diao (Liverpool) Tyrone Mears (West Ham) Andy O'Brien (Portsmouth) David Nugent (Preston) Craig Gordon (Hearts) Liam Ridgewell (Aston Villa) Robert Earnshaw (Norwich) Ricardo Vaz Te (Bolton) and Claude Davis (Sheffield United)