BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes is planning showdown talks with Jay McEveley who is wanted by promotion chasing Derby County.

Rams boss Billy Davies is eager to sign the 21-year-old and has lodged an initial bid in the region of £450,000, which looks set to be rejected by Rovers.

However, Telegraph Sport understands the club may be prepared to let the defender leave before the transfer window shuts next week if he shows no signs of agreeing a new deal.

McEveley's existing contract is due to expire in the summer and he appears reluctant to sign a new one because the arrival of Stephen Warnock has put his first team place in jeopardy.

Now Hughes wants talks with the full-back in a bid to seek clarification about where he sees his future, and the outcome of those discussions may well hold the key to Derby's hopes of signing him before next week's deadline.

"Jay's in a situation where we've offered him a new contract," said Hughes.

"He hasn't taken us up on it as yet, so we'll have to wait and see.

"He's come in recently and done well, and he's as near to the first team now as he's been for a number of years.

"Obviously, he's got advisers who will speak to him, and that's where we are.

"There are things I need to discuss with Jay and we'll see where we go from there."