Jacob Butterfield will be a hit at Derby County – despite an inconsistent start.

That’s head coach Paul Clement’s view on the £5m man who joined from Huddersfield Town on the last day of the transfer window last month.

The 25-year-old started each of Derby’s first four games after his move (he was brought off in each).

But he was an unused substitute last time out, when Jeff Hendrick came in and Brentford were beaten 2-0 at home to make it five games undefeated.

“Jacob has been good in spells but probably has lacked a little bit of consistency,” said Clement, whose side come to Town on Saturday, October 24.

“The way he is and the way he plays, I think it is going to take him a little bit longer to settle fully.

“He is a ball player and when we are not playing that well with the ball, he is going to suffer as a result of that.

Jacob Butterfield in his Derby County shirt

“I think when we can get our passing going again and get back to the levels and fluency we showed against Birmingham, Charlton and Middlesbrough, that is going to benefit him.”

Clement, who also brought in Norwich City midfielder Bradley Johnson in a Derby-record £6m deal, said his decision to substitute former Middlesbrough man Butterfield was not a reflection of his fitness levels.

“It was to do with tactical moments in the game and also I have had Jeff Hendrick chomping at the bit,” he explained.

Jacob Butterfield celebrates scoring for Huddersfield Town - but is he staying at the John Smith's Stadium?
Jacob Butterfield celebrates scoring for Huddersfield Town

“Look at Jeff’s performances. When he has come on he has made an impact.”

Butterfield said: “There is a good group of lads at Derby, who have been welcoming and have made it very easy to settle in.

“We haven’t quite managed to play the quality, free-flowing, type of football we know we are all capable of.

“But it is always tough when you are coming up against teams that want to make it hard for us. We are seen as a scalp in the league and if you want to be successful you have got to do the dirty work, especially away from home.

“We all want to go out there and produce the kind of football we know we can, and I’m sure we will sooner rather than later.”