Source: PA
Keeping Hulse crucial - Clough
Manager Nigel Clough believes keeping hold of Rob Hulse will be vital to Derby`s chances of Championship survival.
The striker almost joined Middlesbrough in August but turned down a £4million move and was the subject of constant transfer speculation during the January window.
Ipswich and Newcastle, along with Boro once more, were reported to be interested in Hulse but it was Premier League clubs Burnley and Stoke who made a move for the 30-year-old. Both asked about taking him on loan until the end of the season but Derby rejected the approaches.
Clough is relieved to see the back of the transfer window which closed on Monday evening and said: "Loans can still happen but Premier League clubs cannot take any of our players and they were our main fear when it came to Rob.
"There were a few clubs sniffing round to loan him but it is vital to keep the likes of Rob because by no means are we out of trouble in the league. We are still very much in there, especially when you look at the fixtures we have coming up.
"We wanted to keep everybody together and when he is in good form, Rob is the kind of player who could see us getting safe sooner rather than later."
