Derby boss Nigel Clough has admitted to having a watching brief on Aston Villa defender Shane Lowry. The 21-year-old signed a new two-year contract with Villa over the summer, but remains on the fringes of their first-team fold.
Villa allowed him to take in short-term spells at Plymouth and Leeds last term, with regular action key to his ongoing development.
Derby hope they will now be able to bring the promising Australian on board, with Clough confirming that he is keen to strike a deal.
"He's a lad that we have watched," he said.
"He's a left-sided player and a young lad who played against us for Plymouth last season."
