Derby County’s Matej Vydra and Chris Martin have been linked with moves to Leeds United and Queens Park Rangers respectively.
Frank Lampard has explained why two Derby County players – linked with separate moves to Leeds United and Queens Park Rangers – have not travelled with the rest of his team to Tenerife this week.
Derby are due to spend a week’s training on the Canary Island, but have left behind strikers Matej Vydra – who is reportedly wanted by Leeds – and Chris Martin – QPR.
But speaking to Derbyshire Live over the weekend, the new Rams boss insisted that fitness issues are behind the pair’s omission.
“Vydra had a small injury which has been dealt with. He hasn’t trained properly,” said the former England midfielder.
“It was much better for him and the medical team to get one-on-one work back at the training ground. So, he has got a week there to get himself ready and we hope he will then be ready to join in with the rest of the lads.
“There was no point in him travelling with 25 of us here (to Tenerife) as there is a lot of work to be done across the board.
“And similar with Chris Martin.
“He has had some issues. Again, he will have his own programme. He will be able to build up on the work he needs to do and hopefully we will go back to two players that will be fit and ready.”
According to the Telegraph, Vydra is edging towards an £11 million move to Leeds, who want him to become new manager Marcelo Bielsa’s marquee summer signing.
While it was reported by West London Sport last week that QPR are set to make an approach for Martin, who was a key player for Rangers boss Steve McClaren at Derby.
Will the rumoured Leeds and QPR targets still be Derby players come September?
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