Cloughie on Vaughan, DJ, Dickov and loan market

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DERBY County are close to extending the loan spell of striker DJ Campbell until the end of January.

But the Rams might have to wait for James Vaughan who is back in Everton's squad and scored their opening goal in the victory over Burnley yesterday.

The loans of Campbell (pictured) and Paul Dickov from Leicester City expired after last night's goalless draw against Championship leaders Newcastle United at St James' Park.

Derby are keen to keep both players for longer and are in need of bodies before the FA Cup third round tie at Millwall on Saturday.

As well as Campbell and Dickov, Jake Livermore's loan is up and the midfielder will return to Tottenham Hotspur.

Skipper Robbie Savage and left-back Jay McEveley are suspended for the Millwall match.

Savage has reached five yellow cards and McEveley was sent off against Newcastle for two bookable offences.

"We are looking forward to the loan market opening on January 1," said manager Nigel Clough.

"We will look to get some players in even before the FA Cup tie at Millwall because we could potentially lose five players from the 18 on duty against Newcastle with the three loans going back and the two suspensions.

"We will be on the phone as a matter of urgency following up the inquiries we have made in the last two or three weeks.

"We're keen to keep DJ and Paul Dickov and we think we have agreed in principle, we hope, to extend DJ's stay initially until the end of January.

"The FA Cup complicates matters slightly because we have to get permission to play him in that."

A deal had been agreed with Everton for Vaughan to return to Pride Park in January after his initial loan spell ended after two games because of a knee injury.

He is now fit again and has appeared as a substitute in Everton's last three games.

The 21-year-old came off the bench and scored against Burnley.

"We will make another call to Everton but it is looking unlikely we will get him back immediately," said Clough.

"If there is a chance of him coming back by the middle of January, we will hang on."

Chris Porter missed the draw at Newcastle with an ankle injury but the striker could be fit for Millwall and Steve Davies could also return to the squad. Dean Moxey will be available after serving a one-match ban.

Clough was pleased with Derby's wholehearted performance after the disappointment of the back-to-back home defeats at the hands of Doncaster Rovers and Blackpool.

He thought centre-backs Miles Addison and Jake Buxton were outstanding and had words of praise for the four-man midfield, led by skipper Robbie Savage, and goalkeeper Stephen Bywater.

"It was nice to go to Newcastle and more than hold our own," said Clough.

"It just gives everybody a little bit of belief back that may be we are not as bad as the last two home performances.

"We did the basics right. We did not give anything away. It was a positive way to finish the year."

Derby are now unbeaten in their last three away games.

Defender Dean Leacock was due to have a scan on his injured knee today.

http://www.therams.co.uk/news/Rams-close-Campbell-deal/article-1652660-detail/article.html