Derby County could make a double swoop on Championship rivals Middlesbrough, with reports on Teesside claiming they have enquired not only about Matt Clarke – but one of his team-mates too.

Sister title TeessideLive say the Rams are not only keen on Clarke, following a season-ending injury to Curtis Nelson, but central midfielder Dan Barlaser – both of whom have slipped down the pecking order at The Riverside.

The report says Boro are still keen on doing a couple of deals before next Monday's transfer deadline, and moving on Clarke and Barlaser could help that.

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Asked about any exits in the final week of the window amid interest in Clarke, Boro boss Michael Carrick said: "This week is what it is. There are decisions to be made on a number of things. We'll have to wait and see. It's difficult to say with individuals at this stage of the season. There's a bit to go through this week, a number of lads who we need to think about what's best for us and them and work that out. We'll see how it goes."

Clarke, who came through at Ipswich Town, before moving on to Portsmouth and Brighton, has already had two spells at Pride Park, winning Player of the Year in 2019/20 and helping the club survive the following season. He has made 17 appearances so far this term but has not started since mid-December.

Barlaser, meanwhile, is well-known to Paul Warne, with the Rams boss having signed him from Newacastle in 2020. He played 117 games for the Millers before moving to Boro two years ago. Since then he has played 75 times but only 11 Championship starts this term.

While Derby do have a clear need in the back four, they do have options in the middle of the park with Ebou Adams, Kenzo Goudmijn, Ben Osborn and Liam Thompson, as well as injured David Ozoh.

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