Dean Sturridge believes the writing was on the wall for Paul Clement when chairman Mel Morris came into the Derby dressing room after the 1-1 draw with Reading in January.

The game at the iPro stadium on January 12 was part of a seven-match run without a league win, a sequence that culminated in manager Clement's dismissal on Monday evening.

Sturridge, who played for Derby for 10 seasons, says he is not surprised by the decision and now expects the club to make the Championship play-offs at best.   

He told Sky Sports Now: "It's unfortunate for Paul Clement. He's had a good apprenticeship and was given his first opportunity in management here but I'm not surprised to be honest.

"When Mel Morris walked into the changing room three or four weeks ago, I think it undermined Paul Clement and it showed that it was [a] tetchy relationship and the owner was not happy with what was going on. 

"I think when you are going for a promotion push, you need everybody together. I think the team that I was part of 20 years ago, the owners [and] directors were quiet and kept behind the scenes.

"Jim Smith would not have allowed any intervention but it is the modern way now. Owners like to get involved and I feel Paul Clement would have known that at that moment [after Reading game] that things were not going well and the relationship was not as it needed to be.

"You need togetherness for promotion and I don't see that in the team at the moment. I don't see them making the automatic positions but I still think they have a great opportunity to get through the play-offs.

"I would like to see [interim manager] Darren Wassall come through that and stamp his name on the club. He's a good lad. I played with him and he's very good behind the scenes."