Derby boss Clough delighted with deal for Sunderland's Noble

Derby County boss Nigel Clough is delighted with their capture of Sunderland striker Ryan Noble.

Clough is grateful to Sunderland counterpart Martin O'Neill for allowing him to augment his squad with the striker, who he feels has the potential to be an excellent addition at Pride Park.

"When Ryan arrived last season we labelled him as a striker with a good reputation for scoring goals, and his form in recent months for Sunderland's reserves suggests he hasn't lost his touch," Clough told Derby's official website.

"Ryan will provide another option for us up front and he's coming into a squad brimming with confidence, creating chances and scoring goals, so it's as good a time as any to be joining us.

"We like Ryan, he's a very good player and he can get goals so it's great to have him on board and I'd like to thank Martin O'Neill and Sunderland for agreeing to loan him out to us."