Derby boss Nigel Clough hopes to sign David Martin after seeing Lee Johnson return to Bristol City.
Johnson returns to Ashton Gate
Derby County boss Nigel Clough remains hopeful of signing Millwall winger David Martin after seeing Lee Johnson return to Bristol City.
Clough tried to sign Martin before the close of the transfer window, but was unable to agree personal terms after Millwall accepted an offer.
However, Rams boss Clough has revealed the move could be resurrected when the emergency loan window opens next Monday.
"We got very close to completing a deal and it may well still happen, albeit it in a different format," Clough told the
Derby Telegraph. "Unfortunately, there were a couple of complications.
"There is an option to do a loan next week and then a permanent move in the summer, so that is something we are thinking about."
Risk
Meanwhile, midfielder Johnson has returned to Ashton Gate following his loan spell at Championship rivals Derby.
The 28-year-old made seven appearances during his month-long stay with the Rams, who were hoping to extend the deal until the end of the season.
However, City were only willing to allow the player to stay for another month with the option of a 24-hour recall clause.
"Derby didn't want to take Lee for a second month and run the risk of having him recalled," Robins boss Gary Johnson told the club's
official website.
"We have a number of games coming up in very quick succession and don't want to loan Lee out at Derby for the rest of the campaign when we might need him."
