Derby chairman Adam Pearson has refused to reveal the identity of his potential American backers as he looks to finalise a cash injection.

The Rams are in talks with a sports management company backed by five equity funds and directors are set to discuss details of the proposed investment at a board meeting on Monday afternoon.

Pearson told the Derby Evening Telegraph: "I don't want to reveal at this stage any more details of the investment partner because, when it was first mentioned a few weeks ago, two or three others clubs tried to make contact with the same company - it is a competitive world out there."

Should the proposed deal be agreed then manager Paul Jewell would no doubt be given some much-needed funding in order to mount a bid for top-flight safety.

Last week, Pearson was confident the deal would go through and that it would be resolved one way or the other by the end of December.

The club will not be making any statement until the negotiations are concluded.