RAMS MUST SLASH WAGE BILL

NEW Derby County owner David Clowes’ first task, having finally taken control at Pride Park last week, is to cut the club’s wage bill by at least 33 per cent. Under the terms of a business plan agreed with the EFL, which enabled the club to finally exit administration after nine months of uncertainty, Derby’s wage bill will be restricted to around £8 million next season — which is £4m less than they spent on player salaries when they were relegated from the Championship last season.

The amount Derby can spend on agent fees is also capped and all new signings and player contracts must be agreed with the EFL in advance.