Three of the rumoured Ipswich Town target’s old players are out of favour at Derby County, and could be looking for new clubs after their loans at Sheffield Wednesday, Reading and Burton Albion expire.
Ipswich Town hope to talk Steve McClaren into becoming their new manager, after making the former Derby County boss their number one choice to replace Mick McCarthy, according to the Sun on Sunday (March 25th, page 63).
But which of his former players could the 56-year-old target if handed the reins at Portman Road? HITC Sport has identified three potential candidates…
Jacob Butterfield (Sheffield Wednesday – on loan from Derby)
Central midfield is an area Ipswich could be looking to strengthen this summer, with the contracts of Callum Connolly, Teddy Bishop, Kevin Bru, Stephen Gleeson and Luke Hyam yet to be renewed. Buttefield, meanwhile, could find himself in limbo – unwanted at Derby and unlikely to be signed by Sheffield Wednesday after an unimpressive loan spell. The 27-year-old started all but four of McClaren’s league games in charge of Derby last season – half of which he missed through suspension.
Chris Martin (Reading – on loan from Derby)
Ipswich could also lose David McGodrick at the end of his contract, while Martin looks to have no future under Rams boss Gary Rowett. McClaren built a team around the 29-year-old – who has been lent to Reading until the summer – during his first spell as Derby manager and tried to bring him back to Pride Park last season, when Martin was on loan at Fulham. Martin is local to Ipswich, although he does have strong ties to Norwich City.
Darren Bent (Burton Albion – on loan from Derby)
A product of the Ipswich academy, Bent will be a free agent this summer and has surely played his final game for Derby, who sanctioned his temporary departure to Burton Albion in January. It was McClaren who signed the 34-year-old initially, and may fancy a reunion if he lands the Portman Road position.
Which of McClaren’s former players would you like to see at Portman Road, should the 56-year-old take charge?
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