Clough keen on striking duo

Rams pair catch manager's eye in pre-season

Last updated: 25th July 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Clough keen on striking duo

Clough: Trialist interest

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Derby manager Nigel Clough is set to step up his interest in trialist pair Conor Doyle and Amari Morgan-Smith.

The duo have impressed Clough during their time with the Rams, with American frontman Doyle involved in the three friendlies against Burton Albion, Southend and Bournemouth.

The 18-year-old was one of four County players to complete 90 minutes in the 3-3 friendly draw against the Cherries on Wednesday, while fellow striker Morgan-Smith has also featured in three pre-season outings.

The 22-year-old has been training with the club from non-league outfit Ilkeston Town and Clough says he will make a decision on the two players in the coming days.

Clough told the Derby Telegraph: "We have got to make a decision on Amari this weekend and Conor probably the same time, if not early next week.

"They have both done very well. They have been in with the first team and not looked out of place."

Ahead

Doyle in particular has caught the eye of the boss, although work permit issues may stall any initial deal for the Texan who plies his trade in the United States youth leagues.

His Irish father's passport may alleviate such a problem and Clough said he had been impressed by the youngster.

He added: "We saw against Bournemouth and in a strong first team that Conor certainly did not look out of place.

"At 18, compare him with other 18-year-olds we have got at the club and he is probably ahead of the majority of them.

"We are interested in him because we do have this gap between the first team and the young lads coming through and people like him would fit nicely into that."

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