Lee Grant's hopes of a permanent move to Stoke look in jeopardy as Championship Derby play hard-ball in negotiations.

The 33-year-old keeper made a surprise deadline-day loan switch to the Potters, having fallen down the pecking order at Pride Park but has had an outstanding season.

"He has done great," Potters boss Mark Hughes said. "Absolutely.

"We'd like Lee to stay and I think that Lee would love to be a part of the club.

"At the moment, obviously, Derby have the upper hand in terms of negotiation and maybe they just need to come to a little bit more of a sensible conclusion.

"At the moment it is a little bit difficult, so we hope it is going to be resolved. It needs to be for all three parties, really: Derby, ourselves and Lee, more importantly."