Derby County are looking into the possibility of bringing Preston North Ends 23 year-old midfielder Paul Coutts to Pride Park.
Coutts had been Club Captain until February this year, when his attitude was called into question and if he really wanted to play for the club. He was stripped of the Captaincy at this point and has now been told by the manager not to bother turning up for pre-season training.
The move, if indeed correct seems a strange one when Nigel Clough is trying to bring in at least one central defender to plug the hole left by the departure of Jason Shackell.
A new midfielder with attitude may not be a wise move for Clough and the Derby board, as they struggle to appease fans, who see the squad seriously depleted for the impending new season, following the sale, or release of at least two first team players and the season long lay-off of Rams Captain Shaun Barker...
| Paul Coutts Recent career history by club (1999 onwards) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Debut | Apps (+ sub) | Goals | Yellows | Reds |
| Preston North End | 06 Feb 2010 | 78 (8) | 5 | 20 | 1 |
| Peterborough United | 06 Sep 2008 | 55 (6) | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Cove Rangers | 27 Oct 2007 | 3 (0) | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Recent career history by season (1999 onwards) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | First App. | Apps (+ sub) | Goals | Yellows | Reds |
| 2011/2012 | 06 Aug 2011 | 45 (1) | 2 | 14 | 0 |
| 2010/2011 | 07 Aug 2010 | 20 (7) | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 2009/2010 | 08 Aug 2009 | 29 (3) | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| 2008/2009 | 06 Sep 2008 | 39 (3) | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2007/2008 | 27 Oct 2007 | 3 (0) | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Total appearances 136 (+ 14 as sub); Goals 6; Yellow cards 26; Red cards 1