Troubled Derby County move step closer to takeover after clearing final hurdle

Derby County have moved a step closer to resolving a long-standing legal claim with Wycombe Wanderers - as the troubled Rams look to finally pave the way for a takeover.

The two clubs became embroiled in what at times has been a messy dispute, after Wycombe launched action against County following last season's relegation.

Wycombe were demoted from the Championship on the final day of the season after finishing a point behind Derby, who stayed up. Wanderers say their claim centres on lost earnings as a result of relegation.

Rob Couhig, owner of Wycombe, spoke earlier this year about the claim.

He said: "What we did is we, right at the end of the summer, wrote and we said we have a claim based on several factors for the losses the club has sustained because of Derby, in our estimation, failing to comply with the rules that should have resulted in an automatic deduction of points.

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"Therefore we would have remained in the Championship and Derby would have been relegated and those losses need to be compensated for."

Now, Sky Sports News are reporting that the two clubs are finally in dialogue over a solution to the issue.

Representatives of Wycombe and Derby's administrators, who have been in place at the East Midlands club since September, are poised to meet this week.

The report adds that any settlement is likely to be less than six figures.

It follows from the news last Friday that Derby had reached a "resolution" with Middlesbrough, who had also launched legal action against the Rams.

Former Derby owner Mel Morris has thrashed out talks with Boro owner Steve Gibson - a breakthrough that occurred barely 24 hours before the teams met in the Championship.

Andrew Hosking, of administrators Quantuma, said of the developments: "It's a huge breakthrough. I think the fans will be pleasantly surprised by the speed things will move at now."

With the Wycombe issue also looking likely to be resolved, it should clear any remaining hurdles as Derby attempt to find new owners.

Mike Ashley, the former Newcastle owner, has been heavily linked with a takeover.

Wayne Rooney, who has done a stellar job managing Derby under hugely testing circumstances, has spoke endlessly about the club's pursuit for new owners.

The club have been hit with two separate handicaps this season, totalling 21 points, but Rooney has somehow managed to keep the side within touching distance of safety.

Speaking about the possibility of a takeover being rubber-stamped, Rooney believes the developments with Boro and Wycombe are "big steps".

He said: "I've been pushing and pushing about getting new owners in and this is a big step to allow that to happen. So now the next step is obviously the administrators engaging with the preferred bidders and getting the right one in."

Whilst matters off the pitch are going in the right direction, there was a jar in the road for Derby after they were well beaten by Boro.

Rooney said of the setback: "I take responsibility for the result because I tried something with Tom Lawrence and Luke Plange.... and that didn't pay off. I take full responsibility for that."

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