Derby County

Fifth man charged in Rams probe
A fifth man has been charged in relation to an ongoing fraud inquiry at Derby County. David Lowe, 57, has been charged with conspiracy to conceal criminal property and money laundering. Earlier this month, businessman Mark Waters, 47, was charged with false accounting and conspiracy to conceal criminal property. The alleged financial irregularities relate to the takeover of Derby County Football Club in October 2003. The Rams' finance director Andrew Mackenzie, former chief executive Jeremy Keith and former director of football Murdo Mackay will appear in court later this month.

Derby split with manager Davies
Derby manager Billy Davies has left the Premier League strugglers after talks with chairman Adam Pearson. The club are two points adrift at the foot of the table following a 2-0 defeat by Chelsea on Saturday. "We have decided mutually in the best interest of both parties that to go our separate ways is the correct decision at this time," said Pearson. Derby have just one win so far this season, which came against Newcastle, and have conceded 33 goals. The side have struggled to come to terms with the top flight after Davies, who joined in June 2006, steered them to promotion via the play-offs last season. "Billy Davies leaves Derby County with our best wishes and our genuine gratitude in achieving a magnificent promotion to the Premier League, where everyone connected with the club wanted to be," added Pearson. "We wish Billy all the best for his future career and both parties will now move forward, which I am sure will lead to future success for Billy Davies and Derby County." Davies had his fate sealed at a meeting on Monday with Pearson but did not help his cause with comments made after the loss to Chelsea as he hinted at frustration with the club's board. He said: "It would be nice if I could have five minutes with him (Adam Pearson). But I can't, he is a very busy man. I haven't spoken to him for two or three weeks." Pearson has been working on attracting new investment to the club, while Davies has been trying to get backing to sign six new players in the January transfer window. Pearson recently backed Davies but his patience appears to have been stretched by the Scot. "About 10 days ago I asked him to come up with a list of players for the January transfer window," said Pearson. "That was both a high investment list and a more reserved frugal list and Billy was going away to prepare a list of contacts. So it was a rather surprising outburst or statement." Davies, who has become the fifth managerial casualty in the Premier League so far this season, put a question mark over his future back in May after steering Derby to promotion. But he signed a contract extension until June 2010 after talks with the board and ex-chairman Peter Gadsby, although that was another controversial episode in his tenure at the club. Davies did not shed any light on any row with the Derby board. He said: "I would like to than the staff, players, wonderful fans of Derby County and the board for what has been a very enjoyable time for me. "What's quite ironic on the morning of me parting company with Derby is that I am going to the East Midlands awards tonight to pick up the coach of the year award. "There have been lots of ups and downs but in the main I'm proud of what has been achieved at the club and I walk away very much with my head held high." Derby now play fellow relegation battlers Sunderland on Saturday before facing Manchester United.

Jewell named as new Derby manager
Former Wigan boss Paul Jewell has been named manager of struggling Derby on a three-and-a-half-year contract. The 43-year-old takes over from Billy Davies with the Rams bottom of the Premier League having collected just six points from their opening 14 games. When asked if he was confident of avoiding relegation, Jewell said: "Absolutely. I'm not here to raise the white flag. "We're not adrift. We've got to work together and try and get out the mess." Jewell had been out of football management since quitting Wigan at the end of last season, citing the need for a break from football. He has since turned down an approach from the Republic of Ireland and also rejected the chance to return to the JJB Stadium after Chris Hutchings was sacked. The former Bradford City and Sheffield Wednesday manager was also linked with Bolton and Birmingham. When Jewell left the Latics he said "for my health I have got to do it" but upon being unveiled at Pride Park on Wednesday he insisted he was ready for a new challenge. "Let's put this straight - I was never ill," he said. "I was never in a straitjacket as some people might have thought. "All I wanted to do was walk away from Wigan with my head held high and I think I can do that. I had been there six year and we'd come from the old third division to the top tier. "There's a time and a place in football when you've done enough and maybe it was time for me to walk away from Wigan and for Wigan to move forward with somebody else. "Absolutely no health reasons. I just wanted a rest from football and I'm not ashamed to say that. "I enjoyed my time, I'm refreshed and hopefully I can come back a better manager." MK Dons boss Paul Ince was also in contention to succeed Davies, but Derby were refused permission to talk to him. "It was the opinion of the board that the club's best interests would not be served by granting permission for an approach - a decision vindicated by Paul's desire to remain at stadium:mk," said a MK Dons statement. "With reference to the continual speculation regarding Paul's future, the club would like to reiterate both Paul's ambition to achieve success in Milton Keynes and the club's determination to retain his services." Derby face a hard task of preserving their Premier League status after winning promotion via the play-offs last season. They have just one win so far this season, which came against Newcastle, and have conceded 33 goals.

Jewell fury as Rams let lead slip
Manager Paul Jewell was furious with his defenders after seeing Derby County concede a late equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Newcastle. The Rams led twice but Mark Viduka grabbed a double for the home side - with his second strike of the afternoon coming in the 87th minute. Jewell told SSB: "We showed real good commitment, terrific energy and decent football. "But we gave playground goals away. The goals we conceded were horrendous." Jewell added: "The fundamental basics of football have caught us out. It's been a trait of ours all season and something that we can't afford to do."

Rams sign Argentine striker Villa
Derby have confirmed the signing of 25-year-old Argentine striker Emanuel Villa from Mexican side UAG Tecos for a fee of £2m. Villa signed a three-and-a-half year contract but will have to wait for international clearance. "I've seen him play and his reputation in South America is very high," said Derby manager Paul Jewell, whose side are currently bottom of the table. "His attributes give me no doubt he'll adapt to the English game quickly." Speaking before the deal was done, Villa said: "I know I'm arriving at a team with relegation problems. I must get used to their league immediately because there is no time for mistakes. "It's a dream come true. I wanted to play in Europe and now I have the opportunity and there is nowhere better than the Premier League." Derby have already offloaded frontman Steve Howard to neighbours Leicester City as they look to rebuild their squad in a desperate bid to avoid relegation. But Jewell said: "He's not a replacement for Steve, he was coming in whether Steve was here or not. He's keen to come and we're keen to have him. Scoring goals has been a problem." Former Newcastle and Portsmouth winger Laurent Robert has been given a trial as Derby look to escape the drop. Robert, 32, gets the chance of a return to England after having his contract cancelled by Spanish side Levante. Robert will train with the Rams ahead of Sunday's FA Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday. The Frenchman joined Newcastle for £10.5m in 2001 and made 139 Premier League appearances in four years on Tyneside. After a half-season loan at Portsmouth, he moved to Benfica in January 2006, before joining Levante later that year. Jewell told the club's website: "We will have a look at him and see what condition he's in because we are desperately short of numbers. "In January plenty needs to happen. The players are down after the Bolton result and you expect that. It seems like one blow after another at the moment and it tests our resolve, but we can't feel sorry for ourselves."

Jewell expects to seal Ghaly deal
Derby County manager Paul Jewell expects to finalise a loan deal for out-of-favour Tottenham midfielder Hossam Ghaly in the coming days. "We've contacted Tottenham and spoken to the player and he's keen to come but we might have to go to a work permit appeal," Jewell told BBC Radio Derby. "And that might be 10 days or so before that happens." The 26-year-old has not played for Spurs since throwing his shirt at the then coach Martin Jol last season. Egypt international Hossam Ghaly has said he will not play at the Nations Cup finals while he hopes to complete a move to the Rams. President of the Egyptian Football Association Samier Zaher told BBC Sport: "Ghaly told us that he will not be able to play in Ghana because he needs to secure his move to Derby. "We understood his position, especially as it will be too late for him to find another club after the Nations Cup." Derby are also keen on signing Blackburn midfielder Robbie Savage and have winger Laurent Robert on trial. The deal for Savage is on hold because the two clubs cannot agree a fee. But Jewell says the likes of Savage, Ghaly, Robert - and new signing Emanuel Villa - would make a big difference to the club. "These type of people will give all the players and supporters a lift," Jewell said. "By the time we sort things out by the time I get the team I want here it will be unrecognisable to the one we've got now and I don't just mean in terms of personnel. "I mean in the way they approach games and their approach to certain things I find difficult to comprehend. "Hopefully by the end of the window we'll have five or six new faces in."

Rams seal deal for striker Villa
Derby have received international clearance for £2m Argentine striker Emanuel Villa. Villa, 25, signed a three-and-a-half year deal last week after Derby agreed a fee with Mexican side UAG Tecos. Villa was paraded to the crowd before Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie against Sheffield Wednesday. Manager Paul Jewell said: "I can't wait to see "Tito" in a Derby shirt because he looks good in training. I'm sure he will be a big fans' favourite." Meanwhile, former Newcastle and Portsmouth winger Laurent Robert, 32, completed his move to Pride Park on Tuesday, while Blackburn accepted Derby's offer for 33-year-old midfielder Robbie Savage. Speaking before the deal was done, Villa said: "I know I'm arriving at a team with relegation problems. I must get used to their league immediately because there is no time for mistakes. "It's a dream come true. I wanted to play in Europe and now I have the opportunity and there is nowhere better than the Premier League." Derby have already offloaded frontman Steve Howard to neighbours Leicester City as they look to rebuild their squad in a desperate bid to avoid relegation. But Jewell said: "He's not a replacement for Steve, he was coming in whether Steve was here or not. He's keen to come and we're keen to have him. Scoring goals has been a problem."

Savage vows to prove Hughes wrong
Robbie Savage says the search for first-team football and the desire to prove he can cut it in the top flight were his key reasons for joining Derby. The 33-year-old midfielder has joined from Blackburn Rovers in a £1.5m deal. He told SSB: "I want to prove Mark Hughes wrong - that I am still capable of playing every game in the Premier League. "Injuries and suspensions come along but if I stay clear of them - the second probably not - it'll be great."

Sterjovski permit blow for Derby
Derby must appeal to the Home Office after Australia midfielder Mile Sterjovski was denied a work permit. The 28-year-old, who plays for Turkish club Genclerbirligi Oftasspor, has not made the requisite 75% of international appearances in the last two years. "The people who make the decisions won't give us clearance, we have got to appeal," said Derby boss Paul Jewell. Sterjovski has made 33 international appearances and scored five goals since making his Australia debut in 2000. Jewell revealed Sterjovski missed the qualifying conditions by one game when Australia opted not to select any Europe-based players for an international. He has already added reinforcements to his squad with Laurent Robert, Emanuel Villa and Robbie Savage and he is keen to bring the unsettled Sterjovski to Pride Park. "He's a wide player who can play up front as well and former Australia boss Guus Hiddink rates him highly," said Jewell. "He has got decent pace and can finish. "We've seen him play and have been made of aware of him. We think it will be a good signing for us."

Sterjovski delighted to be a Ram
Derby County midfielder Mile Sterjovski insists he will have no qualms about playing in the Championship next season if the Rams fail to avoid the drop. Sterjovski, 28, told QPR the club have a bright future and he intends to be a part of it. "I know they are not in a good position but it's a great club and they are looking at the big picture," he said. "I knew before I signed that they could go down and I'm committed to helping Derby as much as I can." Sterjovski says he has been impressed with the potential at the club. "When I came a few weeks ago I saw the set-up and facilities and can see myself being happy here," he said. "I can see Paul Jewell building a good team. "I'm sure the American owners are going to put some money in and I think Derby will be a team of the future." The Australian international says it has been frustrating having to wait for a work permit and international clearance but hopes to feature against Tottenham next weekend. "I would have liked it to have been done three weeks ago and now I'm going to have wait until next week for the international clearance," he said. "But I'm really looking forward to it."

Derby fear Davis out for season
Derby manager Paul Jewell has revealed Claude Davis is likely to be out for the rest of the season after being booked in for a knee operation. The Jamaican will go under the knife on Friday to cure an injury that has been causing the 28-year-old problems for some time. "He has been in discomfort and it has got to the stage where he must have surgery," Jewell told SSB. "That is most likely his season over but we'll know more after the op." The manager added: "I'm not entirely sure of the complications of the injury, but it's similar to the one sustained by Danny Mills." Mills, who is at Pride Park on loan from Manchester City, was ruled out for the season in January. Davis has featured in 19 matches for the Rams this season following his £3m summer move from Sheffield United and his absence would be a huge blow to Derby's hopes of survival. Jewell's side currently hold up the Premier League on nine points, 13 from safety.

Derby rocked by injury to Barnes
Derby County midfielder Giles Barnes is out for the rest of the season because of a knee problem. The 19-year-old picked up the injury in training and the club are now waiting on a second medical opinion to find out whether surgery is required. "It's a bad blow for the lad. Hopefully, with rehab he'll be back sooner rather than later," Rams boss Paul Jewell told SSB. "It wouldn't make sense for us to rush anyone back with next season in mind." Barnes joins team-mates Claude Davis, Tyrone Mears and loanee Danny Mills in sitting out the rest of the campaign.

I doubted my ability, says Savage
Derby County midfielder Robbie Savage admits he began to question his own ability before his display in the 1-0 home defeat against Manchester United. Savage, 33, has struggled since joining the Rams in January but appeared back to his energetic best on Saturday. "I was contemplating how I am as a footballer and what has happened," Savage told SSB. "People were saying my legs had gone and I couldn't hack it at this level but it's nice to show people I can." Savage moved to Pride Park from Blackburn in the transfer window at the beginning of the year and was made captain by boss Paul Jewell. The Welsh international was hoping for a fresh start following an injury-plagued 2007 that included a broken leg at the start of the year. But, by his own admission, he has been nowhere near the top of his game until facing his former club United and was especially thrilled to hear the home fans singing his name against the Premier League champions. "I owed it to myself, to my family and the fans to put in a performance," he explained. "It's taken me a while - it's taken me eight games - but I feel like for the first time in a Derby shirt I've earned by wages." Savage says his lack of match fitness played a big part in his below-par performances and he is finally beginning to feel he is getting his sharpness back. "I wasn't fit when I came here and I've been carrying niggles but the last two games I've felt pain-free and that makes a massive difference to my type of game," he revealed. However, the Welsh international conceded that recent criticism had started to get him down. "When you read stuff saying 'his legs have gone, what did we get him for?', it does get to you," he said. "I'm a human being and it's horrible so it's just nice to prove a few people wrong. "But I've gone out there against one of the best teams in the world and produced a fine performance." Derby were given a 6-1 mauling by Chelsea on 12 March and Savage says the fans deserved a reaction from the players against United. "We were pathetic against Chelsea but to put in a performance like that - against one of the best teams in the world - was a credit to everyone," he stated.

Barnes may require second knee op
Derby County midfielder Giles Barnes may require a second knee operation. The 19-year-old saw renowned specialist Dr Richard Steadman in Colorado last week for surgery on his kneecap. Barnes, who will not be be fit until the start of next season at the earliest, will fly home to continue his rehabilitation next week. Boss Paul Jewell said: "We are really pleased with the outcome. He will have to go back, but whether he needs a second operation we don't know yet."

Jewell planning for next season
Derby County boss Paul Jewell said he will be glad to see the back of a disappointing season after his side's 1-0 loss to Middlesbrough on Saturday. And he says he has already started planning for next season's campaign. "It's driving me up the wall, and I can't wait for this season to finish. I already know what sort of players I want here," he told SSB. "I want players who can perform under pressure and cope with expecting to win because I want to win next season." Jewell also reiterated his desire for Derby to reach 15 points and avoid Sunderland's record of the lowest Premier League total. "It is important that we try and get past 15 points. That is our goal," Jewell told SSB. "We don't want that stigma of having the lowest points total of a team that goes down and I don't want the supporters to go through that. "I want to give them something to cheer because they have been wonderful and have had an horrendous season." Meanwhile Australian midfielder Mile Sterjovski will miss his country's international with China on Wednesday. Sterjovski was forced off just before half-time against Middlesbrough and Jewell confirmed that he had a groin injury and will not be going to China for the World Cup qualifying game.

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