DERBY County are expected to return with an increased off for transfer target Shaun Barker (left) this week.

Blackpool's skipper is high on the Rams' wanted list and they have already had a bid of £400,000 rising to £500,000 for the defender rejected.

They see Barker as a player who can strengthen the centre of the defence. The 26-year-old can also play right-back.

Rams centre-backs Claude Davis and Martin Albrechtsen were told at the end of last season that they can find new clubs.

This leaves Dean Leacock – who has been out injured for eight months – Miles Addison and Lewin Nyatanga to fight for the two centre-back positions along with Jake Buxton who has arrived on a free from Burton Albion.

Blackpool are believed to want between £700,000 and £1m for Barker who has a year to run on his contract.

Derby are still very much in the hunt for Barker and manager Nigel Clough is pleased to see the transfer market moving again.

"It is moving, that's the good thing because in May and June it didn't really move at all, in football in general," said Clough.

"I think in the last few days things have just started to move. All of a sudden there have been one or two transfers in the Championship.

"Everybody just starts trading a little bit now, which is good news."

Clough also remains interested in Crewe's 21-year-old defender John Brayford.