Derby County are battling to retain the services of their young Irish midfielder Jeff Hendrick according to the Sunday Mirror
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The Mirror reports that the club is considering offering the player a new four-year deal to fend off interest from Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion.
Midfield starlet Hendrick, 19, has been a key component of the Rams engine room this season with the club currently sitting third in the Championship after their best start to a league campaign for 106 years.
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international has two years left on his contract and Manager Nigel Clough is determined to keep him at Pride Park for even longer.
Clough said: “We have a policy at this club of rewarding young players once we have identified that they are the sort we want around. Jeff has done really well for us.”
