The window is open and more rumours are finding their way in with Nigel Clough linked in a move for a Dutch International defender who has fallen out of favour at Celtic.

Glenn Loovens is a 27 year old Dutchman who came through the Feyenoord youth system and made 25 appearances for the senior side.

Various loan moves including Cardiff city followed and the Welsh club eventually made the move permanent in 2006 for a reported fee of £250,000.

In total he played over 100 games for Cardiff between 2005 and 2008 before Celtic secured him with a four-year contract for around £2.5 million.

The Scottish club apparently beat their old-firm rivals to the punch after Rangers had a bid rejected before Celtic confirmed the signing with the player suggesting the opportunity to play in the Champions League was the deciding factor.

After 61 appearances that included a handy 7 goals, Loovens has found it difficult to get a look in under Neil Lennon and is no doubt hungry for first team football.

With the Championship no stranger to Loovens, a loan move to the Rams may be fortuitous for both parties if Celtic is not shopping to immediately re-coup some of their investment in the Dutchman.

Reports from Scotland have stated that some of the reason he has been out of action has revolved around a knee injury that occurred in October but the player has almost recovered from.

It seems Nigel Clough may have lost patience with Dean Leacock and if that is the case may be looking to find a suitable replacement as soon as possible, especially if the rumoured interest in Leacock from West Brom is genuine.

With Buxton returning to full fitness Clough may have another option at the heart of defence but may prefer to turn to the twice capped Dutch player if a deal can be done with Celtic.

The biggest risk will be bringing in another player with recent injury problems, as in the case of Anderson it could be a short term fix that ends with another player watching from the sidelines.

That said, the risk usually finds clubs more willing to let players go at a bargain basement price or on a loan deal. It is then up to the interested club to roll the dice and see whether they land a winner or end up with snake eyes.

Nigel is no stranger to having to take such a gamble as it seems likely the board will once again hold the purse strings tight during the window.

Speaking to the DET he has stated he wants to sign at least three players during the window:

"We are looking for a striker and a defender, either a full-back or a centre-half," said Clough.

"We are making calls and it is about picking the right ones and trying to get the right deals.

"We would like to get somebody in before Monday if possible."

Time will tell who the players are and what kind of deals they are brought in but it is unlikely we will see anything but more loans in the near future.

If the Celtic link comes to fruition let's just hope it is not part of a swap deal for Commons.

That would be madness wouldn't it?

Yes.

But remember this is DCFC where the should and should not get mixed up far too often.

Photo: Action Images

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