Derby County

Derby complete signing of Malcolm
Derby have wrapped up the signing of former Rangers utility player Bob Malcolm on a two-year contract. Malcolm, 25, had been out of contract after negotiating his release from the Scottish club ahead of last week's transfer deadline. \"I'm delighted to have Bob here,\" boss Billy Davies told his club's website. \"He's a player that will bring a bit of quality to our squad, and has vast experience of playing at a great club like Rangers.\" The Glasgow-born player began his career at Ibrox as a trainee, making his senior debut in April 2000. He was involved in Rangers' treble three years later and played 17 games during the 2005/06 campaign.

Carlisle to sign Derby midfielder
Carlisle are set to land midfielder Paul Thirlwell on a three-month loan from Championship side Derby. Carlisle boss Neil McDonald believes the signing of the 27-year-old will provide his side with added experience. \"This is a player who has played at a decent level for a number of years and he will be an excellent addition,\" McDonald told the club's website. \"We are looking forward to working with him and we're sure that this will be a good move, both for him and Carlisle.\"

Keeper Camp close to Norwich move
Derby keeper Lee Camp is set to join Norwich on a three-month loan. Norwich are keen to sign the England Under-21 international to solve their goalkeeping worries after Joe Lewis fractured a cheekbone. \"With the injury to Joe, we needed to bring in experienced cover for Paul Gallacher,\" Norwich boss Nigel Worthington told the club's website. \"If a deal is finalised it will be a chance for Lee to come in and challenge Paul for the number one position.\"

Derby 1-2 Sunderland
Roy Keane gave a successful first half-time team talk as Sunderland boss, as his new team fought back from a half-time deficit to see off Derby. The Rams took the lead on the stroke of half-time as Matt Oakley stabbed home after Steve Howard's cut-back. But Chris Brown poked home an equaliser after an almighty goalmouth scramble on the hour mark. And three minutes later, Ross Wallace found space in the left side of the box and swept home a fine low shot. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derby: Bywater, Edworthy (Bolder 88), Leacock, Michael Johnson, Camara, Barnes, Oakley, Smith, Peschisolido (Seth Johnson 56), Howard, Lupoli. Subs Not Used: Grant, Malcolm, Nyatanga. Booked: Edworthy. Goals: Oakley 45. Sunderland: Alnwick, Delap, Cunningham, Varga, Robbie Elliott, Liam Miller, Kavanagh, Whitehead, Wallace, Connolly (Stephen Elliott 84), Brown. Subs Not Used: Ward, Hysen, Leadbitter, Neill Collins. Booked: Varga, Brown, Delap, Wallace, Kavanagh. Goals: Brown 62, Wallace 64. Att: 26,502 Ref: A Bates (Staffordshire).

Wolves v Derby
Wolves defender Charlie Mulgrew has declared himself fit after bouncing back from an ankle knock. The Molineux match comes too soon for Guilherme Finkler despite the Brazilian returning to training after overcoming a groin injury. Derby defenders Darren Moore and Richard Jackson are pushing for a recall to the side. Moore is in contention after overcoming a hamstring injury while Jackson is back in training after a calf problem.

Wolves 0-1 Derby
Steve Howard ended his goal-drought to give Derby a narrow win and deny Wolves the chance to go top of the table. Howard, who had not scored since a £1m summer from Luton, met Arturo Lupoli's cross on 34 minutes to head home. Wolves should have already been ahead but Jay Bothroyd's weak penalty, after he was held back by Michael Johnson, was easily saved by Stephen Bywater. Jemal Johnson went close for Wolves after the break, as did substitute Rohan Ricketts who hit the woodwork. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wolves boss Mick McCarthy: \"It took us a while to get going but I'm proud we kept at it and loved the fact we were cheered off at the end and could have nicked something. \"Derby were better than us in certain aspects. They passed better and created clearer chances. \"But we have still surpassed everybody's expectations of us so far.\" Derby boss Billy Davies: \"I'm delighted Steve has that monkey off his back. \"We wanted it to happen for him and it was a good finish. It was probably the best we have played - a terrific performance and a terrific win. \"But we're still a mile away from where we want to be and we will have to continue to work at it.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wolverhampton: Murray, Edwards, Breen, Craddock, Little, Potter, Olofinjana, Henry (Clarke 78), Jones (Ricketts 57), Bothroyd (Cort 57), Johnson. Subs Not Used: Ikeme, Mulgrew. Derby: Bywater, Edworthy, Leacock, Michael Johnson, Camara, Bisgaard (Barnes 68), Malcolm, Oakley, Bolder (Nyatanga 90), Lupoli (Smith 77), Howard. Subs Not Used: Peschisolido, Seth Johnson. Booked: Camara, Bolder, Bywater. Goals: Howard 34. Att: 21,546 Ref: N Swarbrick (Lancashire).

New consortium reduces Rams debt
The new owners of Derby County have said they have reduced the club's debt by more than £40m. The consortium led by property developer Peter Gadsby said the club's deficit had been brought down from more than £50m to £8.5m. The six directors have invested £21m into the club since the takeover. Mr Gadsby, now chairman of the Championship side, said the achievement was also down to a restructuring of finances and assistance from the bank. He said: \"There has been a series of accounts methodology or restructuring, in which certain debts are put to one side and then transferred back but in realistic terms there has been a substantial write-off.\"

Derby v Preston
Derby defenders Darren Moore and Richard Jackson have recovered from respective hamstring and calf injuries. Midfielder Bob Malcolm remains some way short of full match fitness following his arrival from Rangers. Preston boss Paul Simpson has David Nugent available again after serving a one-game suspension. Strikers Brett Ormerod, Neil Mellor and Andy Smith are all improving their fitness after injuries, while Brian O'Neil (knee) is close to a return.

Derby 1-1 Preston
Derby boss Billy Davies was unable to get the better of his former side as Preston held on for a point. Steve Howard opened the scoring for the Rams from the spot on 44 minutes after a rash challenge from Sean St Ledger cut short Arturo Lupoli's direct run. But Preston were level before the break as Danny Pugh placed in from 20 yards. That was the way it finished despite Lupoli forcing a good save from Carlo Nash and Howard crashing a header on to the bar with six minutes remaining. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derby boss Billy Davies: \"I was disappointed by such a lack of respect. I was expecting stick, but to be treated to such name-calling and chanting? \"They have let themselves down because they're wonderful supporters and were a wonderful support to me.\" Preston boss Paul Simpson was still angry with six backroom staff who left in the summer: \"I shook hands with Billy Davies before the game but why would I not? I have got nothing against Billy. \"It was not him who walked out on us a few days into pre-season training. I shook hands with the others at the end, as you would to be civil.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derby: Bywater, Edworthy (Barnes 63), Leacock, Michael Johnson, Camara, Bisgaard (Peschisolido 82), Oakley, Bolder, Malcolm, Lupoli, Howard. Subs Not Used: Seth Johnson, Moore, Nyatanga. Booked: Edworthy. Goals: Howard 44 pen. Preston: Nash, Alexander, Chilvers, St. Ledger, Hill, Sedgwick, McKenna, Whaley (Anyinsah 82), Pugh, Agyemang, Dichio (Nugent 45). Subs Not Used: Lonergan, Jarrett, Wilson. Booked: Sedgwick, Agyemang. Goals: Pugh 45. Att: 22,220 Ref: G Laws (Tyne & Wear).

Derby appeal over Barnes red card
Derby have appealed against the red card which was shown to midfielder Giles Barnes in Saturday's 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday. Barnes was dismissed following a challenge on Graham Coughlan. But after studying video evidence, Rams boss Billy Davies believes the player's momentum - rather than any malice - was the reason for the late tackle. If the appeal is unsuccessful, Barnes will be suspended for Derby's games against Southend, Plymouth and QPR.

Derby v Southend
Derby's on-loan striker from Arsenal, Arturo Lupoli, can expect a recall after a one-game suspension. But Giles Barnes starts a three-game ban while keeper Stephen Bywater (thigh) is again expected to be out with Lee Grant deputising. Southend welcome back experienced defender Spencer Prior who has missed the last five games with a knee injury. Striker Michael Ricketts (Achilles) is also pushing for his first start for the club.

Lupoli nets on international bow
On-loan Derby County striker Arturo Lupoli marked his Italy Under-20 debut with a goal in his side's 4-2 friendly defeat by Austria. The 19-year-old, on a season-long loan with the Rams from Arsenal, netted with a cool finish from 12 yards. But he also missed a penalty when his side were 3-2 down. Lupoli, Derby's leading scorer this season with five goals, was originally in the Under-21 squad but was replaced by Juventus striker Raffaele Paladino.

Stead in talks about Derby loan
Derby have agreed a loan deal with Sunderland for striker Jon Stead, who is now in talks with the Rams. Stead, 23, has fallen out of favour at the Stadium of Light since the arrival as manager of Roy Keane in August. Keane said: \"As much as I want to keep as many players as I can, if it looks like they are not going to get many games they should go out and play.\" Derby boss Billy Davies added: \"We have spoken to Sunderland and are now waiting to see what Jon thinks.\" Davies explained: \"Jon would certainly add to our firepower - he has played at the highest level, scored goals in the Premier League and is still young.\" Stead was a £1.8m signing from Blackburn in 2005 but has scored just twice in 40 appearances for the Black Cats. The arrivals of Dwight Yorke and David Connolly on transfer deadline day pushed him further down the pecking order.

Plymouth v Derby
Plymouth are hopeful striker Barry Hayles will have recovered from the groin strain that forced him to miss the 1-0 win at Coventry. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is close to recovering from a hamstring strain while Paul Wotton is fully over his recent back problem. Striker Jon Stead could make his debut for Derby after joining the club on loan from Sunderland. Keeper Stephen Bywater is a doubt once again with his a thigh strain.

Plymouth 3-1 Derby
Two Paul Wotton penalties and Marcel Seip's header guided 10-man Plymouth to victory and sent them into fifth spot. Wotton's first penalty came in first-half stoppage time after Mohammed Camara fouled Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. Derby immediately equalised through Arturo Lupoli, who beat Luke McCormick with an instinctive finish. Mathias Doumbe was sent off early in the second half but Wotton lashed in a second spot-kick and, with 10 minutes left, Seip headed home from a corner. Wotton's penalty technique is simplicity itself - he hits the ball with extraordinary power down the centre of the goal - and, on the evidence of this game, appears foolproof. Just before Doumbe's sending-off, Grant made a superb double save, first denying David Norris before keeping out Ebanks-Blake's follow-up. Derby were unhappy over the second penalty award after Barry Hayles tumbled when he was challenged by Michael Johnson. Doumbe's red card also appeared harsh as he looked to win the ball in tackling Morten Bisgaard. # Plymouth manager Ian Holloway: \"It was a battle out there. It wasn't pretty, it wasn't the best but we have got great team spirit and they showed great spirit. \"There were some strange decisions out there but we got on with it. \"Maybe more people will take a bit of notice about us now because we are not one of the fashionable clubs.\" # Derby manager Billy Davies: \"Two decisions cost us dearly. We felt Jon Stead was impeded leading up to their first penalty. \"The one that really hurt us was the second penalty. We don't think it was a penalty and it knocked the stuffing out of us. \"Decisions like that cost you - and after that we looked nervous.\" Plymouth: McCormick, Connolly, Doumbe, Seip, Capaldi, Norris, Nalis, Wotton, Buzsaky (Samba 77), Hayles, Ebanks-Blake (Aljofree 51), Aljofree (Summerfield 73). Subs Not Used: Larrieu, Djordjic. Sent Off: Doumbe (49). Booked: Hayles, Doumbe, Buzsaky, Capaldi. Goals: Wotton 45 pen, 63 pen, Seip 79. Derby: Grant, Edworthy, Moore (Leacock 56), Michael Johnson, Camara, Bisgaard (Smith 68), Bolder, Oakley (Seth Johnson 77), Lupoli, Howard, Stead. Subs Not Used: Bywater, Jackson. Booked: Moore, Michael Johnson. Goals: Lupoli 45. Att: 13,622. Ref: P Taylor (Hertfordshire).

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