Former Town manager George Burley has denied allegations made to a number of Derby County players that he turned up to training sessions drunk after the Rams' play-off defeat to Preston.

According to reports, a club official asked four players to give evidence, highlighting occasions when the former Scotland international full-back had appeared drunk at training and had behaved unprofessionally.

None of the players are understood to have acceded to the request, while a friend of Burley is quoted as describing the accusations as "ludicrous".

Burley unexpectedly took the Rams to the play-offs, however, a boardroom power struggle has continued to destabilise the club.

The 48-year-old boss is understood to have been displeased at the appointment of director of football Murdo Mackay when the club was taken over last summer, and moves have reportedly been made towards forcing Burley out of his job.

Derby are yet to make a comment on the matter, while Burley may approach the League Managers' Association to assist in his defence.

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