Derby inching closer to Conor signing

MIDFIELDER ‘HAVING MEDICAL’ AS RAMS REBUILD GROWS

CONOR Hourihane was apparently set to undergo a medical with Derby County as the Rams inched towards signing the highly-regarded midfielder on a free transfer last night.

Derby have been in talks with the former Aston Villa ace, who is a free agent after leaving the Premier League side in the summer. Hourihane has been tracked by a number of clubs this summer, with Championship sides Huddersfield Town and

Luton Town both interested in the 31-year-old.

Hourihane had been a target for previous boss Wayne Rooney but his recent departure has not affected Derby’s pursuit of him. Now, according to transfer journalist Pete O’Rourke, he is set to undergo a medical with the Rams, who have wasted no time in adding to the squad after Clowes Developments completed their takeover on Friday.

Derby have also been linked with Brighton & Hove Albion duo Haydon Roberts and Carl

Rushworth as interim boss Liam Rosenior continues his summer rebuild. James Chester and David McGoldrick are also on the club’s wanted list and have held talks with the club as the Rams prepare for the big kick-off on July 30 with a clash against Oxford United at home.

Hourihane has plenty of topflight experience and helped Villa win promotion to the Premier League. He spent last season on loan with Sheffield United, where he helped them to the Championship play-offs.

The Republic of Ireland international was also in the previous season’s play-offs when on loan with Swansea City under current Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper.