McClaren keen to tie up deals for loan trio

Sky Sports understands that Derby County manager Steve McLaren is looking into the possibility of securing permanent deals for three of the players who have excelled under him so far this season.

The Rams are assured of a third place finish in the Championship this season, and will play the first leg of their play-off semi-final against either Wigan Athletic, Reading, Brighton and Hove Albion or Blackburn Rovers on May 8th.

Patrick Bamford, Andre Wisdom and George Thorne, whose parent clubs are Chelsea, Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion respectively, have all contributed to the East Midlands clubs’ success, and McClaren, who returned to the club in September, is keen to keep them on board.

Derby, who have been playing in the second tier since they were relegated from the Premier League with a record low tally of points back in 2008, are currently 9/4 favourites to gain promotion through the play-offs.