No homecoming for two Rams favourites

Last updated : 28 July 2006 By Rams Mad Editor

The Gaffa will not be taking charge at Pride Park again
Derby County have stated that they are not interested in two former Derby County players that are currently on the open market.

Lee Carsley, or the Gaffa as he was affectionately called at Pride Park is currently looking for a new club as Everton have made it clear that he does not now feature in the toffees squad for the coming season.

The 32 year old was sold by the Rams to Blackburn in March 1999 for a fee of £3.5million. After becoming a firm fixture and leading goal scorer for Blackburn with 10 goals in a 40 match career he was thought surplus to requirements and sold to Coventry for a fee rumoured to be around £2.5 million. Unfortunately this move was to try and keep Coventry in the Premiership but it didn't work and Lee and Coventry were relegated.

Higginbotham won't sign new contract at St Mary's

Everton manager Walter Smith saw the quality Lee had and took him to Goodison Park for a knock down fee of just £1.9million.

Danny Higginbotham is another ex-Ram that isn't interesting Billy Davies. The 27 year-old defender has reportedly refused to sign another contract with Southampton and has been put on the transfer list by the Saints.

Derby signed Higginbotham from Manchester United for a fee of £2million and he was sold to Southampton for £1.5 million in January 2003.