Nigel Pearson is facing the sack at Derby County after an explosive row with chairman Mel Morris, with former manager Steve McClaren already emerging as a potential replacement.

Pearson has been suspended by Derby following a heated confrontation with Morris at the club’s Moor Farm training ground on Monday afternoon, 48 hours after the 2-1 home defeat by Blackburn Rovers.

Following the meeting Derby have taken drastic action, with the club’s manager unlikely to return.