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Deeney signs new one year deal


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SAUL Deeney has agreed a new one-year deal with Derby County as he prepares to make his first start for the club tomorrow.

A rib injury has ruled goalkeeper Stephen Bywater out of the last two games of the Championship campaign and Deeney steps in.

His only taste of senior action for the Rams came last month, but lasted only 28 minutes.

He replaced the injured Bywater early in the 4-1 defeat at Reading, only to be sent off four minutes before half-time.

Deeney played for Rams manager Nigel Clough at Burton Albion and moved to Pride Park last summer as understudy to Bywater.

He signed a one-year deal with an option for a further 12 months, which the club has taken up.

Clough says playing in the next two games against Bristol City and Cardiff City will be valuable experience for the 27-year-old.

"It was in the back of our minds to give Saul some games," said Clough.

"It came up when Stephen Bywater had his bad back. We said the first chance we get, we will give Stephen a breather.

"We are now safe in the division and Stephen has picked up a rib injury, so Saul comes in.

"Somebody said at the weekend that we put Stephen's future in jeopardy by leaving him on against Crystal Palace but we didn't even know he was injured until the game was in stoppage time, so it was very difficult to do anything about it then.

"We did not know the extent of the injury until after the game.

"Now Saul will get a couple of games and anybody who has seen the Reserves this season will know he has been in good form.

"He has improved this season again under (goalkeeping coach) Martin Taylor, he has matured as a goalkeeper and been a good understudy. He works extremely well with Stephen."

Ross Atkins has returned from his loan spell with Kidderminster Harriers and will be on the bench at Bristol.

Atkins has also agreed a new one-year deal with the club.

"Being on the bench will be good experience for Ross," said Clough.

"We will have four keepers next season – Stephen, Saul, Ross and young James Severn.

"The plan will be to get Ross and James out on loan to get them playing regularly in the Conference or League Two, but probably not both at the same time.

"The level keepers play at is not as important, it is the fact they are in match situations week in, week out.

"Martin Taylor goes to watch the keepers when they are out on loan. He keeps a close eye on them and is doing a brilliant job with the keepers."

http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/sport/Keeper-Deeney-agrees-new-year-deal-Rams/article-2058997-detail/article.html

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It makes sense to me,Ratty is first choice and hardly misses any games so it is better to have a cheap bench warmer than bring in another keeper on decent money to sit on the bench.

Clearly Nigel see's other area's i hope to invest in.

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