There is no reason why Derby County cannot emulate Premier League leaders Leicester City - says former Rams striker Steve Howard.

Derby are in the mix for promotion with eight games to go, but have ground to make up on the automatic promotion spots.

And Howard was top scorer the last time the club were promoted to the Premier League via the play-offs in 2006-07.

He said: "Derby is a huge club. I left here and I was fortunate to go to another big club in Leicester City.

"I cannot see why Derby can't do what Leicester have done."

Liverpool legend John Aldridge has slammed the club's transfer policy which saw them miss out on Dele Alli when he left MK Dons.

England's Dele Alli skips a challenge from Germany's Toni Kroos (left) as they battle for the ball during the International Friendly match at the Olympic Stadium, Berlin.

Tottenham won the race for the midfielder, now an England international, because the Reds refused to pay him any more than £4,000 a week, according to recent reports.

Aldridge wrote: "I baulk at the fact that Liverpool had this kid and let him go,.

"We’ve bought so many inept players over the last few years for so much money and you look at what we turned away, it really hurts me to see.

"The kid wanted to play for Liverpool, he was a fan who loved Steven Gerrard when he was younger. He had a manager at MK Dons in Karl Robinson who was keen for him to go to Liverpool.

"So to miss out on him and to now see what he’s doing for Spurs and for England, it is hard to take."

Liam Cooper has hailed his Leeds United manager Steve Evans as "an honest manager and good motivator".

CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 08: Steve Evans, Manager of Leeds United applaudes the travelling fans at the final whistle during the Sky Bet Championship match between Cardiff City and Leeds United at the Cardiff City Stadium on March 8, 2016 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

There were rumours that Massimo Cellino would pull the trigger on another manager after the 4-1 loss to Huddersfield Town before the international break, although Cellino has said all decisions will wait until the summer.

Cooper is in the squad for Scotland's friendly with Denmark on Tuesday night.

The midfielder declared: “He’s just an honest manager, he’s a good motivator.

“He gets the boys up for the game. He’s honest with us, he keeps us going all the time and we just buy into that."

Tottenham Hotspur youngster Charlie Hayford is on trial at Sheffield Wednesday.

The midfielder started the 1-0 loss to Huddersfield Town earlier on Tuesday.

The 18-year-old is out of contract in the summer and searching for a new home.

Martin O'Neill won't be back at Nottingham Forest in the manager's seat, according to Reds legend Kenny Burns.

Republic of Ireland coach Martin O'Neill.

In his column at the Nottingham Post, Burns said that affection for the club won't be enough to persuade the former Forest player to turn his back on Ireland.

Wrote Burns: "There's no doubt in my mind that Martin would do a great job as Forest boss, just look at his track record.

"I also don't doubt he has a lot of affection for the club because of what we achieved as players all those years ago under Brian Clough.

"But I don't think sentiment would be enough to lure him back to be the next manager.

"I actually think he will stay on with Ireland beyond the European Championships tournament.

"He's doing a good job with them, together with Roy Keane, and I think he will fancy a crack at trying to qualify for the next World Cup if they do well in France this summer. Who wouldn't?"

Middlesbrough can claim automatic promotion during a "ridiculous" April, claims George Friend.

Football: Middlesbrough FC (red) V Hull City (white), Riverside Stadium. Teesside. George Friend applauds the fans.18.03.16.

Boro are currently third, but have a game in hand on Brighton, who occupy second place.

Friend told the club's website: “We’ve got eight games coming up in a month which is ridiculous so it was good to have a bit of a break, then fly into those games and pick up points.

“There is no reason why we can’t get back into the automatics and clinch promotion in that month.”

Ipswich Town fans face an anxious wait on the fitness of Daryl Murphy.

The striker injured his calf while on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, and although he has been ruled out of the next test with Slovakia the club have no timescale for his return yet.

Peter Odemwingie believes sessions with a sports psychologist can help Bristol City retain their Championship status.

Peter Odemwingie of Bristol City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Bristol City and Bolton Wanderers at Ashton Gate

The Robins are battling relegation and Lee Johnson has engaged a psychologist, who has been encouraging the players to imagine themselves as potential Premier League stars.

And the former WBA striker, on loan from Stoke, know what it takes to play in the top flight.

"This club has an ambitious young manager with a lot of potential, a good group of players and should be looking to reach the next level. The talk we had was designed to make everybody think of themselves as potential Premier League players," Odemwingie said.

"When the club is planning big things ahead, it is always good to remind the players from time to time during the season. The players have to believe that they are going places."