Earnshaw out if price is right

Derby manager Paul Jewell would be prepared to sell Rob Earnshaw this summer - but only for the right price.

The Wales striker was tipped to be the ’fox in the box’ who could keep County afloat in the Premier League following his club record £3.5m transfer from Norwich last summer.

But the diminutive forward has proved to be an expensive flop at Pride Park, scoring just once in a miserable campaign for the relegated Rams – a consolation in the 4-1 FA Cup drubbing by Preston.

Earnshaw vented his frustrations in an interview with a Welsh newspaper, arguing a lack of opportunities had cost him his international place.

FA Cup finalists Cardiff were one of the sides interested in signing him on loan in January and the former Bluebird claimed the prospect of a return to Ninian Park would “excite” him.

However, Jewell insists Earnshaw will only depart on his terms.

“Rob Earnshaw isn’t in the team, he wasn’t in the team before I got here. He’s no different to any player,” Jewell said.

“Earnie probably hasn’t had a run of games in the team to be fair but there’s going to be a lot of to-ing and fro-ing in the summer.”

He added: “If there’s takers and they put offers on the table and Rob wants to go and it’s acceptable to the club, then there’s no harm done.

“If Rob doesn’t want to go and the money’s right, the deal won’t happen.

“If Rob does want to go and the money’s not right then the deal won’t happen.

“The deal will only happen if the player wants to leave, I want it to happen and the money’s right. It’s as simple as that, and that goes for every player.”

Meanwhile, the Rams have confirmed the appointment of Chris Hutchings as assistant manager.

The 50-year-old, who replaces Stan Ternent, has previously worked under Jewell at Bradford and Wigan, succeeding the Liverpudlian on both occasions as manager.

He was given his chance at the JJB Stadium following Jewell’s departure at the end of last season but was relieved of his duties by Latics owner Dave Whelan in November.

Hutchings felt “very hard done by” getting the sack, but is now keen to team up again with Jewell and write another positive chapter in the pair’s history together.

“We have been successful in the past and I want to make sure that we are successful in the future,” Hutchings said.

“This is a massive club in terms of tradition. It wants to play a certain type of football that we all know the public want.

“The training facilities and the ground are first class.”