Clough hopeful over loan swoops

Clough has enquired about the possibility of taking a defender and a midfielder on loan and is waiting for the respective clubs to return from their pre-season tours. "We would like one or two players in to boost the squad before Saturday and we have asked about a defender and a midfielder," Clough told the Derby Telegraph. "We will try and get that sorted as early as we can this week." Derby have already had a look at Arsenal midfielder Mark Randall but decided against taking the 19-year-old on loan. The Rams had midfielder Nacer Barazite and Barry Bannan on loan from Arsenal and Aston Villa respectively last season.