Jewell tells Powell he could earn a longer stay with the Rams

Friday 21 November 2008

DERBY County manager Paul Jewell has challenged defender Darren Powell to earn himself a longer contract at Pride Park.

Powell signed a short-term deal with the Rams today.
The deal is for two months and will run until January 21.
Initially, it was thought Powell would sign until the end of the year but the duration of contracts must be for full months and the end of December is less than six weeks away.
The former Southampton player is a free agent after being released by the Saints in the summer and Jewell says the 32-year-old will boost his options at centre back.
“He trained with us on Wednesday and everything is agreed,” said Jewell.
“Darren has been at Charlton for a while and they want to sign him but, luckily enough, we got the nod on him and have signed him.
“It gives us a bit of cover. It probably suits both parties. We can have a look at him and he can have a look at us.
“But if he comes and does well, he can earn himself a contract to the end of the season. Hopefully he will do well and get something longer.”
Derby go into tomorrow’s Championship clash against Ipswich Town at Portman Road without the injured Martin Albrechtsen (calf) and Dean Leacock (groin).
Claude Davis and Lewin Nyatanga formed a centre-back partnership in the last two games but have been away on international duty this week.
Jewell has been trying to bring in cover at the back.
“We have had countless knockbacks – and this is no disrespect to Darren Powell – from Premier League clubs regarding centre-halves and other players too,” he said.
“Darren knows the Championship. He is an experienced, old-fashioned defender. He heads it and kicks it and there’s a lot to be said for that in an area where we have been a little bit short, I feel.”
Powell is without a club, so he can sign outside the transfer window.
He has been training at Charlton and has appeared for their reserves but his last senior game was for Southampton in May.
Asked if he would have any concerns about putting the player straight in against Ipswich, Jewell said: “Obviously he is not match fit and there would be concerns but if anything happens to the two centre-halves (Davis and Nyatanga) or they are a bit tired after international duty, we would put Darren in and hope his experience gets him through.”
Nyatanga and Davis both played 90 minutes for their countries this week.
Nyatanga featured as Wales won in Denmark and Davis helped Jamaica to victory over Canada in a World Cup qualifier in Kingston. Despite winning, the Reggae Boyz missed out on a place in the next stage of qualification on goal difference. Honduras and Mexico filled the top two places in the group.
Davis was due to fly back to Gatwick this morning and he will meet up with the squad in Ipswich.
Kris Commons and Mile Sterjovski have also been away on international duty and Jewell admits it is not ideal preparation for tomorrow’s game.
“You want to do some team play but we have not had the two centre-backs who started against Sheffield Wednesday in the last game,” he added.
Derby and Ipswich have lost only two of their last 13 league games. They sit side-by-side in the table on 24 points.
“Ipswich are formidable on their day, a good side with some good players and it will be a tough game,” said Jewell.
“But it is a game we are looking forward to because we are competitive now. We may not be the best team in the world but we give everybody a game and we are getting better as each game goes by.
“The players are getting more and more confident and you can feel the group growing together, which as a manager and a coach is really pleasing.
“That is why we want to bring in some more players, just to help the group along. I think with a bit more help and competition around the team, we can do even better.
“We now face another busy run of games but that is the schedule. That’s why we need a squad and that is why I have been trying to strengthen.
“Playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday can take its toll on the squad. We would like a couple more in before the deadline.
“What I will say, though, is if I don’t get the players I want, I won’t bring players in just to up the numbers. That would be counter-productive, we won’t do that.”
The deadline for emergency loans is November 25.