Derby County: Brighton midfielder linked with £2.5m Rams move

It was thought that the Rams were in the running for Huddersfield Town midfielder Jacob Butterfield but the club are not willing to part with the £5 million that the Terriers want for their asset.

Derby County boss Paul Clement is hoping to bolster his depleted midfield by signing Brighton and Hove Albion star Dale Stephens, according to today’s print edition of the Sunday. “We’re looking to bring another in fairly soon, but they’ve got to be the right players”.

“I speak to (chief executive) Sam Rush and (head of football operations) Chris Evans daily about who our targets are and how things are progressing”.

‘We will continue to do our business in private.

‘We have highlighted a small group of players, we don’t want to go too wide. Bryson also injured a knee at the Macron Stadium and will be absent for around a month.

Hendrick has a dead leg and Hanson came off with concussion.

The game, which will be screened live on Sky Sports from 7:30pm, is the curtain-raiser ahead of a busy weekend in the Sky Bet Championship, with the new season now in full flow.

The Rams have started their league season off with a trio of draws – against Bolton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic and Middlesbrough – but Clement insists that their first three-point haul is just around the corner.

“But it’s only for the short term and we’re positive and confident”.