Monday 24 August 2015 12:52, UK
Signing another midfielder remains the priority for Derby head coach Paul Clement, despite seeing his injury problems easing.
Central midfielders Will Hughes, Craig Bryson (knee), Jeff Hendrick (dead leg) and Jamie Hanson (concussion) all missed the 1-1 draw at Birmingham on Friday night.
Hughes is a long-term absentee following surgery to repair knee ligament damage but there is better news regarding the other three players, who Clement hopes could all be back in contention for the home game against Leeds at the weekend.
"They're progressing well and we hope they are available for the next game," Clement told the Derby Telegraph.
"Hanson is the most advanced, followed by Hendrick and then Bryson but they all do have a chance of making the squad for Leeds.
"Even if they are available, we still need another midfielder."
Jacob Butterfield, Dale Stephens and Michail Antonio, who play for Huddersfield, Brighton and Nottingham Forest respectively, are of interest to Derby, with their clubs all having confirmed they have rejected bids from the Rams.
However, Clement would not be drawn on specific names when asked about his targets.
He said: "The priority is a midfielder. I cannot say we are close or not close with any of the players. When the players are signed, that is when they are in.
"All I can say is we have targeted not one but a couple of good midfielders.
"Good midfielders - any good players - are hard to get because clubs want to keep hold of them.
"We are pushing hard and we hope something will be done soon to complement the already good squad we have got.
"Hopefully, that will happen this week."
