Clough accepts Fielding defeat

Clough: Keeper crisis

Derby boss Nigel Clough has been knocked back once again in his bid to sign Blackburn keeper Frank Fielding.

The Rams are in search of cover for Stephen Bywater after his understudy Saul Deeney was ruled out for up to six weeks following an ankle injury in bizarre circumstances.

Deeney suffered a twisted ankle after slipping outside the team's hotel following a fire drill ahead of their 1-0 defeat to Swansea City on Friday.

The loan bid for Fielding is the second attempt Clough has made to sign the 21-year-old after missing out in the summer, and the Rams boss admits he must turn his attentions elsewhere.

"They (Blackburn) have knocked us back. They do not want to let him out at the moment, so we are exploring other options," said Clough.

Fielding has had previous spells at Wycombe, Northampton, Rochdale and Leeds but is yet to feature for Rovers' first team.