Derby County are said to have won the race to sign Southampton midfielder Harrison Reed.

According to the Hull Daily Mail, Derby County are expected to sign Southampton midfielder Harrison Reed on a season-long loan deal.

The report states: ”[Steve] Bruce also said a possible loan move for Harrison Reed was over as he was unavailable. Reed is expected to join Derby on a season-long loan.”

The Rams, who are still searching for their first Championship win under new manager Paul Clement, have suffered from injuries early on into the season as four central midfielders – Will Hughes, Jeff Hendrick, Jamie Hanson and Craig Bryson – have already found themselves onto the treatment table.

Reed, who is highly-rated by Southampton, looks to be an ideal loan signing ahead of what should be a very promising season for the East Midlands outfit.

How will Reed fit into Derby’s system?

The England under-20 midfielder is a player with a huge engine and a lot of tenacity.

He will add an extra bite to the Derby midfield and, along with Thorne, will ensure the Rams midfield dominates possession nine times out of 10.

Nevertheless, as a potential replacement for Hughes, the loan move alone doesn’t make sense. Reed is very much a player who will be more comfortable deeper rather than in behind the strikers and is better known for his defensive work than attacking.

It is likely Clement will still need one more body in central midfielder, even if Saints youngster does agree to the proposed loan move.

In other news, Our View: Celtic should try sign £20m youngster who loves Gerrard