Rowett Confirms Ledley Talks

Derby County boss Gary Rowett has confirmed that talks regarding a new contract for Joe Ledley are up and running following the midfielder’s impressive start to life at Pride Park Stadium.

The Wales international joined as a free agent in late September on a deal until January, with his arrival coinciding with a near-faultless run of form for the Rams.

Derby haven’t lost any of the six games that Ledley has started, and Rowett is keen to ensure that the 30-year-old will remain in the East Midlands beyond the turn of the year.

He told RamsTV: “We signed him due to certain circumstances, we deliberated it for about a week, but if you look at it so far, he’s played in six games and we’ve drawn two and won four.

“From our point of view, the decision has already been made. I sat down with Joe about a week ago, and the reason he came in short-term was to see if he could earn something longer.

“I commend a player of his level, experience and quality for doing that, and those intentions are there and the talks are already underway.

“It’s then down to the club to see if we can do that, and also it’s down to Joe and his agent.”

All six of Ledley’s Derby appearances have come as a part of a central midfield partnership with Tom Huddlestone, and Rowett highlighted the contrast between to two as a key element of the Rams’ set-up.

He said: “He doesn’t have Tom Huddlestone’s range of passing but what he does have is great composure and knowhow, and he’s probably had a bigger effect than even I thought he would, which is fantastic for us so long may it continue.

“Joe naturally fills a gap with his intelligence and his desire to pick up the right position. He closes down, he wins the ball, he’s good on the ball as well and he gives you that composure.”

Ledley missed the home defeat against Reading with a hamstring injury, and the boss provided an update on his recovery.

He added: “We’re hoping that it’s not too serious, hopefully he’ll get through the two weeks with Wales, and then he’ll be available.”