Paul Warne has revealed how Derby County tried to sign Harrison Armstrong last summer and says the Everton loanee has a "real confidence" in the way he plays.

Derby wrapped up a move for the exciting midfielder on deadline day when Armstrong signed on loan until the end of the season. He is now set to make his debut against Norwich City tomorrow as the Rams look to avoid an eighth straight league defeat.

Derby had tracked Armstrong last summer and attempted sign to him then but couldn't do a deal with Everton who wanted to keep him at Goodison.

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But now the Premier League club have sanctioned his departure to the Championship to help further his development after breaking into Everton's first-team squad this season.

When asked if he could give Derby what he needed, Warne, who was sacked as head coach yesterday, said: "We'll have to wait and see. I'm not putting pressure on him.

"We've been on him since the summer. The recruiters saw him play against Preston in pre-season. We tried to get him out of Everton then but it wasn't to be. Just recently, he's been dipped into playing for the first team a few minutes here and there, which felt like a disaster for us.

"This happens all the time in the window, you have everything lined up and the agent likes the idea of it and the club do. They then changed manager and I was obviously fretful that they wouldn't let him out.

"But I do think he has a real confidence about his play. He's very athletic and gets around the pitch. He always wants to sort of get the ball on the half-turn and play forward. So whether he's the answer, I don't know if he's the answer, but I do know he's a good addition and another option for us, which is great."

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