Clough is waiting to strike in loan market with Wood still number one target
DERBY County will know more about their chances of landing another striker on loan after this week's round of Carling Cup ties.
The Rams number one target is still West Bromwich Albion's Chris Wood.
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Albion have been reluctant to allow the New Zealand international out on loan because of injuries at the Hawthorns.
Wood is expected to feature for Albion in their Carling Cup clash at home to Manchester City on Wednesday.
"There is a round of League Cup games this week and a few fringe players might play so we are waiting until after Wednesday to follow up a few calls," said Rams manager Nigel Clough.
"We will continue the search and keep asking the questions.
"But we need the players back who are already in the squad, that is the other thing."
Scottish midfielder Stephen Pearson made his first appearance of the season after recovering from the knee surgery he underwent in April.
Pearson went on as a substitute after 65 minutes of Saturday's 1-1 draw against Barnsley at Oakwell.
"It was lovely to see Stephen Pearson come back in," said Clough, who hopes injured left-back Gareth Roberts is only a week away from fitness.
Roberts has missed the last two games after he suffered severe cramp in his right calf in the home defeat by Sheffield United.
Russell Anderson, Chris Porter, Jake Buxton, Steve Davies and Miles Addison are also currently sidelined.
"Russell Anderson is not far off and if you get him, Stephen Pearson and Gareth in the 18 it looks different," said Clough.
"And if we can get another player in on loan, which we are trying to do, the squad will look different again."
Seventeen-year-old defender Mark O'Brien was used for the first time this season at Barnsley when he replaced Shefki Kuqi in stoppage time at the end of the game.
O'Brien had played 45 minutes for the Academy under-18 side against Stoke City at Moor Farm in the morning before he was driven up to Barnsley.
"He was on the bench as cover but with respect to Mark we don't want to be dipping that far down the squad if we can help it," said Clough.
3 Comments
by Rams Fan,, Chesterfield
Monday, September 20 2010, 1:12PM
“Are we supposed to be enthralled by that display at Barnsley on Saturday ?The only positive which emerged was an improvement on the disgraceful and inept performance against Sheff. Utd., which didn't take much achieving.
The midfield maintained it's usual standard, with Pringle totally out of his depth, Bailey continually giving the ball away and the resident flyweight "Passenger Green" strutting around like a headless chicken.
As for the attacking forward line.....what a joke. Our newly acquired much envied asset has the finesse and touch of an elephant wearing cloggs !”
by WB, SE
Monday, September 20 2010, 10:34AM
“I saw Varney play for Blackpool at Chelsea yesterday. Yes he was subbed after about 60 minutes but he looked useful and showed some threat whilst he was on. Although it was all over by half-time Blackpool played some good football throughout the second half.
It the first half Chelsea looked like electricity when they attacked - if that is possible!”
by Rams Fan, Oakwood
Monday, September 20 2010, 9:26AM
“Super.
Finally getting around to addressing the complete lack of strikers in your squad hey, Nigel? Excellent.
An easy way to remember it is *Goals win games* and therefore people that score goals are quite handy to have about the place.. you might also want to practice that "defending" thing everyone raves about, although you may need some actual coaches for that rather than your mates.”