Derby County host Championship rivals Stoke City on Friday evening and one player who may have a point to prove is Potters central defender Liam Lindsay.
The Scotland international joined Stoke from Barnsley for £2 million last summer.
It was said Stoke fended off heavy competition for his signature, including a Derby County side who are now desperate to add another defender this month.
(Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images).
According to The Sun, Derby were in the running alongside Stoke for his signature.
The Rams needed to strengthen last summer after seeing Player of the Year Fikayo Tomori return to parent club Chelsea following his excellent loan spell at Pride Park.
Linsday would have been a fine option. The 24-year-old is comfortable playing out from the back, and he helped Barnsley keep a record number of clean sheets last season.
Stoke, however, won the race and fans at the Bet365 Stadium are finally starting to see his potential after a struggling start to the campaign under former boss Nathan Jones.
The Potters head into the clash having picked up seven points from their past three games. Lindsay has started all three, helping Stoke to a trio of clean sheets.
In Lindsay’s last eight starts since early December, Stoke have conceded just four goals.
Derby may now look at the central defender as a missed opportunity.
Philip Cocu’s side have had a testing campaign. Richard Keogh’s sacking left the side with a big void to fill as Curtis Davies, 34, and right-back Andre Wisdom fill in.
(Photo by Jon Hobley/ MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images).
Matt Clarke has been Derby’s best defender this season. However, the Brighton loanee will return to the Seagulls in June leaving the Rams with a big summer recruitment ahead.
Also see: Player reportedly left frustrated after manager rejected possible Derby move
Also see: Manager rules out move for reported Derby and Middlesbrough target