Derby reject Shackell bids

Derby defender Jason Shackell looks set to stay at Pride Park despite manager Nigel Clough's apparent willingness to sell him.

Defender is an essential player for us, says Rams chief executive

Derby defender Jason Shackell looks set to stay at Pride Park despite manager Nigel Clough's apparent willingness to sell him. Shackell captained Derby following a serious injury to Shaun Barker and is one of the club's most valuable assets. But with Clough under pressure to sell if he is to bring players in this summer, it was believed he could leave the Rams. However, Derby chief executive Tom Glick has revealed the club have turned down four offers for the centre-back since the end of the season and insists Shackell will be staying.

Essential

"We've turned down four bids from three different clubs on Jason at this point," said Glick. "Simply put, Jason is an essential player for us. "He played every minute of every game and it's no surprise we've had interest in him, from more than those three clubs, too. "He's a top player in the Championship and a leader for us, so it would take a lot to pry him away from Derby." Burnley are understood to have made two of the rejected bids for the 28-year-old former Norwich defender.