Chance just too good to turn down, says Darren

DARREN Powell says joining Derby County was too good a move to turn down.

The 32-year-old central defender (below) has signed a two-month contract and is in the squad for today's Championship clash at Ipswich Town.

"When an opportunity like this comes along, you have got to take it – this is a massive club," said Powell, who had been a free agent since being released by Southampton at the end of last season.

"Derby came down from the Premier League last season but it is still a Premier League set-up here and when I heard about the opportunity, I was thrilled," Powell added.

"I have played in this league for some time, so I have got plenty of experience of it, and I hope to help the team push on from there.

"We have good players here, Premier League players, so we need to keep our good run going and push on up the table.

"I feel ready to play if the gaffer wants to put me in."

Powell, who will take the number 32 shirt, had been training with Charlton Athletic, who were keen to sign him.

"At Charlton, I trained and played in reserve games but at the end of the day, I just want to play. I want to get back in the thick of things," he said.

His last first-team game was for Southampton against Sheffield United in May.