Derby County: Aussie clubs could move to take Mile back home

DERBY County forward Mile Sterjovski could be heading back to Australia.

Sterjovski has a year to run on his contract but has been told he is not guaranteed first-team football next season.

Clubs Down Under are interested in the 29-year-old Australian international, notably Gold Coast United.

Sterjovski has made only seven starts this season and Rams boss Nigel Clough said: "There is genuine interest in him from clubs in Australia.

"I think the biggest thing for Mile is that he has to play next season because of the World Cup next summer but we can't guarantee him first-team football here."

Clough said Ruben Zadkovich, another Australian international, is in the same boat.

The midfielder has made just two starts for the Rams since being signed by Paul Jewell.

Sterjovski's agent, Tony Rallis, insists his player is still planning to play out the final year of his contract with Derby.

He said: "There are no discussions, there are no deals, there are no offers, because he is a contracted player. "

But A-League club Gold Coast claim they are in the driving seat to sign Sterjovski.

"We're getting close," said manager Miron Bleiberg.

"It's a complicated issue but I'm interested in signing him and he's interested to come here."

Bleiberg believes Sterjovski's versatility would make him a valuable addition to the squad.

"He plays for the Socceroos as a midfielder but he's also a striker," said Bleiberg.

"I like him as a goalscorer. He hasn't played much, so he might be a bit rusty, but when you come to his age in his late 20s and you've got a certain amount of games in your body, if you haven't played much, it's good for your body.

"It will also make him hungry. He's got a point to prove."

Przemyslaw Kazmierczak is to return to Porto after his season-long loan at Derby and the Polish mifdfielder has claimed Clough does not like foreign players.

But Clough has dismissed the accusation.

"Is that what he said, is it?" said Clough. "I have got no problems with foreign players at all.

"If they have got the right character and they want to fight tooth and nail for Derby County, we will have players whether they are Chinese, American, Spanish – anyone to help us get three points."