DERBY County are believed to be on the brink of signing Sunderland starlet Ryan Noble on loan for the second time.
New Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill decided earlier this month to allow the 20-year-old out on loan, which alerted almost every Championship club to his availability.
And the Rams are the favourites to sign the youngster, who made one appearance in a brief stay at Pride Park in 2010.
The goalscoring prospect has been on fire for Sunderland’s reserve teams in recent weeks after recovering from a back problem which ruled him out at the start of the season.
Meanwhile, Derby pair Mason Bennett and Will Hughes have been named in the England under-17 squad for the first time.
The Academy youngsters are in the squad for the Algarve Tournament next month.
The annual competition will see the Three Lions play three games in five days against hosts Portugal, Holland and France.
Striker Bennett became Derby’s youngest-ever player aged 15 years and 99 days old in October, and has made a handful of first-team outings over the course of the past few months.
He was most recently an unused substitute in the Rams’ 1-0 win over Coventry City on Saturday and has also impressed in the England under-16 side.
Hughes, a 16-year-old midfield player, ade his first-team bow as a substitute in Derby’s 3-2 defeat at Peterborough United in November.
Rams academy manager Darrren Wassall said: “We’re delighted their form, quality and performances have been recognised by England at under-17 level and it will be a wonderful experience for the pair of them.
“They’re both great characters and I’m sure they will be very keen to make the most of the opportunity.”
DERBY defender Jason Shackell has been named in the Championship’s team of the week
