Frank Lampard opens up on Derby’s interest in Everton defender

Frank Lampard manager of Derby County celebrates the win after the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Preston North End at Pride Park Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Derby,...

Derby  County reportedly wanted to raid Championship rivals rivals Ipswich Town for Pennington, who is on loan from Premier League outfit Everton.

Frank Lampard has admitted that he wanted to bring a new centre-back to Derby County in the January transfer window with Mathew Pennington one of his targets.

The Rams are a little short in defence right now with Richard Keogh starting every one of their 29 Championship games and Fikayo Tomori missing just three fixtures since joining on loan from Chelsea.

Matthew Pennington of Ipswich Town and Will Grigg of Wigan Athletic compete for the ball during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Wigan Athletic at Portman Road on...

Alex Pearce departed for Millwall last month, meaning there is a lack of options in reserve.

And, speaking to the Derby Telegraph, Lampard has admitted that he wanted to sign Everton academy graduate Pennington on deadline day, only to find that there was not enough time to get the deal done.

“He was one we looked at later on – but it was too late,” said Lampard.

Ipswich Town's Matthew Pennington battles with Sheffield United's Mark Duffy during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Sheffield United at Portman Road on December 22,...

“Matthew Pennington was an Ipswich player and they were well within their rights to keep him. Fair enough.”

The Pennington deal would have been a tricky one given that he is currently on loan at another Championship outfit, bottom of the table Ipswich Town.

Everton would need to cancel his season-long deal at Portman Road before coming to an agreement with Derby, all before the 11pm deadline.

So Lampard will have to make do with the options at his disposal and hope both Keogh and Tomori avoid injuries or suspensions between now and May.

 

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