Wayne Rooney insists that Derby County will not let captain Tom Lawrence join Championship rivals West Brom during the January transfer window, speaking to the Derby Telegraph.
Lawrence has had his fair share of critics this season.
But, during what was the very definition of a coupon-busting victory over promotion-chasing Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon, the Welsh international certainly picked a good time to make his presence felt.
Lawrence scored twice against Scott Parker’s side, including a trademark right-foot rocket from distance, as a Derby side who were docked a further nine points by the EFL a few days earlier secured a win which, while doing little for their diminishing survival prospects, at least gave everyone at Pride Park something to cheer.
The Mail reported recently that West Brom, Swansea and Bournemouth themselves were sniffing around Lawrence with the transfer window just a few weeks away.
It was claimed that Derby would even be tempted to terminate his contract. Lawrence, after all, is one of the club’s highest earners on a rumoured £37,000-a-week.
But after the former Manchester United youngster distanced himself from the speculation on Friday, manager Wayne Rooney struck a very similar tone when asked about Lawrence’s future.
Is West Brom target Tom Lawrence staying at Derby?
“No player will leave this club without me giving it the go-ahead,” said Rooney. “With Tom Lawrence, he will be here until the end of the season.
“I am really pleased for him to get two goals – a great first goal. Tom’s energy and his work rate all season have been great. He has really led by example this season as captain.
“What you want from your big players is they have to make an impact on the game. Hopefully there is more of that to come.”
West Brom, meanwhile, slipped eight points adrift of the automatic promotion positions following a 1-0 defeat at Huddersfield Town which ramped up the pressure on manager Valerien Ismael.
The Baggies have now lost each of their last four away games in the Championship.
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