Forsyth Loan Extended

Rams extend loanee Craig's stay at Pride Park until the end of the season.

Derby County have reached an agreement with fellow npower Championship side Watford to extend Craig Forsyth’s loan spell with the Rams until the end of the 2012-13 season.

The 24-year-old Scotsman has settled into life at Pride Park with relative ease after joining on an initial month-long loan spell from Gianfranco Zola’s promotion-chasers at the beginning of March.

His initial month’s loan is due to expire after today’s Easter Monday clash at Leeds United, but a deal has already been agreed with the Hornets to extend his stay in Derbyshire until the end of the campaign.

The paperwork will be processed tomorrow; although Watford will hold a 24-hour recall clause in the agreement should he need to return to Vicarage Road.

Forsyth has impressed during his first four games in a Rams shirt, showing the versatile side of his game by performing in both midfield and defence during his short spell with Nigel Clough’s side.

His two away performances for Derby have come in a wide midfield role, but in the recent home wins over Leicester City and Bristol City he has performed at left-back in the absence of Gareth Roberts, due to injury.

Speaking about the news that Forsyth will remain with Derby for the rest of the season, Clough said:“It’s great news Craig is staying with us; he’s come in and made a real impact on the side.

“He’s someone who we’ve admired for a while and he’s come into the side and really impressed us.

“We think he has all the right attributes to be a very good player especially with his height, composure on the ball and he has a lovely left foot as well.

“We’re delighted he’s staying on for the next few weeks and hopefully he can maintain his form.”

Forsyth joined Watford from Dundee in June 2011 but, despite scoring five goals in 22 appearances last term, Forsyth has found first-team action at Vicarage Road hard to come by following the appointment of Zola last summer; featuring twice in the league and on a further two occasions in the Capital One Cup.

The Scot spent two months on loan at Bradford City earlier in the season, before heading to Pride Park four weeks ago.

Watch an exclusive interview with Nigel Clough speaking about this news on Rams Player.