MICHAEL Tonge's performance on his debut for Derby County brought praise from manager Nigel Clough.

Tonge is on loan from Stoke City until the end of the season and the 26-year-old midfielder was up against his old club Sheffield United on Saturday.

"He was excellent on his return to Bramall Lane," said Clough after the 1-1 draw.

Tonge lined up on the right side of midfield and this allowed Paul Green to move back into the centre alongside skipper Robbie Savage.

"I thought he (Tonge) was outstanding for a first game on loan," added Clough.

"He was very calm and composed on the ball. He runs with it when he has to, he plays it when he has to – he just makes good decisions.

"To have him and Nicky Hunt out there on the right gives us that little bit of Premiership quality.

"Out on the right is not ideal for him (Tonge) but we wanted to put Paul Green in the middle and give him a run in there.

"Greenie's fitness is coming back. He just seems to have clicked in the last week or two, you can see it in training.

"He looks much sharper and he will get himself goals from that position as well."