Rams to pay up for Rovers star

A tribunal has ordered that Derby County could pay Tranmere Rovers up to £725,000 for winger Steve Davies who joined the club in June.

The Professional Game Compensation Committee has suggested that the Rams pay the League One club an initial payment of £275,000 with a further £250,000 based on appearances. And should they reach the Premier League within three years, they will have to pay out another £200,000 for the highly-rated 20-year-old.

Rams chairman of football Adam Pearson told the club website: "We thank the panel and fully accept their verdict."

Meanwhile boss Paul Jewell is hoping to survive the sack following Derby's dismal start to the campaign in which they have managed just one point from a possible nine and are still searching for a first league win under his leadership stretching back to last November.

Speaking ahead of the Rams' Carling Cup tie at Preston on Tuesday, Jewell told the Derby Evening Telegraph: "It's the lowest I have felt as a manager. I did not sleep a wink all weekend. In fact, I haven't slept a wink for nine months!

"At Wigan, we were knocked out of the FA Cup by non-League Canvey Island and were bottom of Division Two, the old Third Division.

"I am trying to draw on all my previous experiences as a manager but this is the toughest time I have faced because this is the biggest and best club I have been at.

"Maybe because I want it so desperately, maybe because I want to get it right and give the fans a team to be proud of, I am putting more pressure on myself.

"I signed a three-and-a-half year contract, not a one-year contract. Hopefully I will be here to see that through.

"I know people are doubting me but, hopefully, I can prove to them that I can do the job. I know I can do the job.

"We are getting knocked from everywhere right now and we have got to be careful not to knock ourselves. I know we are not very good at the moment but I believe we will be good eventually."