Post by Natty on May 9, 2009 8:01:41 GMT -1
Derby County hope to tie up a deal for Jake Buxton next week and manager Nigel Clough says the central defender has the desire to prove himself in the Championship.
Clough worked with Buxton at Burton Albion where the 24-year-old was a key figure in the Brewers winning promotion to the Football League this season.
He is out of contract this summer and therefore a free transfer.
“We know he’s a character and would relish the opportunity to play at this level,” said Clough.
"He’s certainly got the desire.
"He would walk across broken glass to come and train at Moor Farm every day. He is certainly one of those who won’t be taking it for granted.
"We hope to get Jake in and he will battle for a place with four, five or up to six centre-halves.
"He can play full-back, which he did at Burton at the start of the season, so he covers us all the way across the back four.
"He might not be an automatic first-choice at the moment or at the start of the season, but I’m sure with his character he’ll force his way in.
"It took him a few weeks to settle at Burton.
“If you talk to him, he’ll tell you that initially he thought he’d made the wrong decision to join Burton but a few months after that he was enjoying it more than any time he had played football.”
Buxton, born in Sutton-in-Ashfield, played more than 150 league games for Mansfield Town before he joined Burton last summer.
Clough worked with Buxton at Burton Albion where the 24-year-old was a key figure in the Brewers winning promotion to the Football League this season.
He is out of contract this summer and therefore a free transfer.
“We know he’s a character and would relish the opportunity to play at this level,” said Clough.
"He’s certainly got the desire.
"He would walk across broken glass to come and train at Moor Farm every day. He is certainly one of those who won’t be taking it for granted.
"We hope to get Jake in and he will battle for a place with four, five or up to six centre-halves.
"He can play full-back, which he did at Burton at the start of the season, so he covers us all the way across the back four.
"He might not be an automatic first-choice at the moment or at the start of the season, but I’m sure with his character he’ll force his way in.
"It took him a few weeks to settle at Burton.
“If you talk to him, he’ll tell you that initially he thought he’d made the wrong decision to join Burton but a few months after that he was enjoying it more than any time he had played football.”
Buxton, born in Sutton-in-Ashfield, played more than 150 league games for Mansfield Town before he joined Burton last summer.
