Town Chasing Derby Defender Tue 01st Sep 2009 08:41
Derby County right-back Paul Connolly has emerged as a Town target on what promises to be a busy final day of the transfer window at Portman Road. The Blues are understood to have made an offer to the Rams for the 25-year-old, but have not yet met their valuation.
Liverpool-born Connolly came through Plymouth’s youth system, making his senior debut on the final day of the 2000/01 season.
After 171 starts, six sub appearances, one goal and a short loan spell with non-league Bideford, the 6ft tall defender moved on to Derby on a free transfer in May 2008.
Connolly was subsequently named captain at Pride Park, but this season Robbie Savage has take over the armband. Despite this, the full-back has featured in all six of Derby’s games this season and overall has made 54 starts and one sub appearance, scoring once.
A right-back has appeared to be amongst Roy Keane’s targets all summer with Tottenham’s Chris Gunter, who has since joined Nottingham Forest, and Manchester United’s Danny Simpson, now on loan at Newcastle, having been linked earlier in the close season.
At the weekend, Keane left David Wright out of the side which drew with Preston and a successful move for Connolly may see Wright on his way as a result, with Reading understood to be interested.
Meanwhile, the fee the Blues have agreed with Sunderland for Grant Leadbitter and Carlos Edwards is reported to be £2.8 million rising to £4 million. The duo are understood to have continued talks regarding personal terms over the weekend.
Edwards is understood to be close to agreeing terms, but has already flown to Honduras ahead of Trinidad and Tobago's World Cup qualifier against the Central Americans. Leadbitter is continuing discussions.
Burnley are again linked with Town midfielder Owen Garvan. Last week, the Clarets were reported to be ready to offer £1 million for the Republic of Ireland U21 international, but at the time Roy Keane said he had heard nothing from Owen Coyle’s club.
Elsewhere, Reading are reported to be the club who are set to take reported Town target Darren O’Dea on loan. The Blues are less likely to be looking at the Celtic central defender with Sheffield Wednesday’s Richard Wood set to sign today.
Former Town loanee Simon Walton has joined Crewe on loan for the season after falling out of favour at Plymouth.
The transfer window closes at 5pm this afternoon.
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This lad was one of derby's best players last year. Living in derby i get to see the rams play quite often in the year and he was very good against man utd in the cup. Derby fans wouldnt want him to go tho, which might show what a good player he is
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This would be a fantastic signing for us ... Would this be a straight replacement for David Wright ??? We cannot go on playing four centrebacks across the backline .... Cromwellblue (spot on) its gonna be a long day ...
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when I saw the headline, I thought we were "chasing" Claude Davis or Martin Albrechtsen since they're free now... and both with quality and experience...
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Surely Wright would be a better option at left back as Delaney poor ,Smith looks like he is out of position and Pim needs time . Connolly a good solid defender for this league will do well. It does look like RK is trying to move all of the old squad out of Portman Road though to replace with his signings without giving them a go, which is a worry as i thought Wright one of our most consistent performers last year and the midfield on Saturday cried out for Garvan in the second half nobody else wth the class to create anything
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Sounds like Roy is looking to build an entirely new team, if this is correct. Only about three or four players would remain from last April by my reckoning, if he gets the 3/4 players in who are rumoured today... changing times.
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Watched him at Plymouth a few times and he always looked solid, has a bit of pace and likes to get forward, would be a good signing, I know the Janners down here were sorry to see him go when he left for Derby.
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Connolly must be very good if rated better than David Wright who I would not like to see sold. He is the best right back we have had for a long time and, even if he plays left back, he can get to the corner flag and cross the ball which seems to be well beyond Delaney or Martin. Also concerned about Garvan who is surely a much better prospect to play around the centre circle than Trotter. Garvan needs to be played back into form and he will be a class performer again
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Town Chasing Derby Defender
