Clough’s at front of the queue for striker Clark

DERBY COUNTY have joined a clutch of clubs who are interested in signing Queen of the South goal machine Nicky Clark.

Rams boss Nigel Clough has had his scouts north of the border check out the 21-year-old, who is the leading scorer in the United Kingdom this season.

Clark, the son of Doonhamers assistant boss and former Glasgow Rangers star Sandy, has scored 40 goals for the Scottish Second Division champions this season.

Clough is set to revamp his squad this summer and is keen on Clark, whose goal tally has come in 45 appearances, but faces massive competition.

Rangers are keen on signing him but they cannot buy players until January 2014 because of a transfer embargo.

SPL outfits Motherwell and Aberdeen are also interested but would struggle to match the personal terms he could be offered at Pride Park.

Sheffield United were interested but it’s thought that has cooled after Danny Wilson lost his job as Blades boss.

That could play into the hands of Clough, who would only have to see off the interest of clubs in Scotland to land the highly-rated starlet.

Clark is expected to sit down and explore all of the options that are open to him within the next couple of weeks before making a decision on where he is playing next season. MIDDLESBOROUGH are keeping tabs on MK Dons’ Northern Ireland under-21 international Tom Flanagan.

The 21-year-old caught the eye earlier in the season during a loan spell at Gillingham and was watched by at least one other Championship club towards the end of the campaign.