Sky Sports pundit says David Nugent’s age doesn’t stop him being perfect for Derby

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Nugent joined the Rams in a reported £2.5m deal this week.

Sky Sports pundit Peter Beagrie has told the EFL Weekly podcast that David Nugent is the perfect attacking signing for Derby County despite his age.

Nugent joined the Rams for a reported £2.5 million fee from Premier League Middlesbrough at the start of the week to boost Steve McClaren’s attacking options.

The 31-year-old admitted after signing his deal at the iPro Stadium that he is delighted to link up again with the manager who gave him his only England cap after the frustration of failing to hold down a regular place for Boro in the top flight.

Questions have been raised over the signing of a striker who is entering the latter stages of his career, but Nugent has a good goalscoring records in the Championship as recently as last year.

The former Leicester City and Preston North End man scored eight times in 38 Championship games for Boro last term, and hit 49 in 130 second-tier games for the Foxes before that.

Beagrie certainly believes the one-time England international has the pedigree that Derby need in attack and says he can be the perfect foil for more success under McClaren.

Beagrie told Sky Sports’ EFL Weekly: “People will look at the price tag for a 31-year-old in terms of the sell-on value but when you consider what’s at stake for Derby and what’s happened in the past, now they’re on an upward curve with Steve McClaren.

“He [Nugent] looks like the ideal man to boost the squad. I think it’s been triggered by the Martin scenario at Fulham, they wanted to bring him back, and Derby needed to supplement their strikers.

“Darren Bent is doing OK at the moment but Nugent has pedigree at this level. Also, he has that affinity with McClaren, who gave him his England debut. He is one of those players you want in your dressing room. It’s not just on the pitch but off the pitch as well.

“When he has been a substitute and desperate to get on, his attitude and application has been absolutely fantastic. I think he will be a great addition for Derby in the run-in.”

Nugent’s debut for the Rams is expected to come on Friday night when McClaren’s side travel to Elland Road to face Leeds United as two play-off chasers face off.