Championship side Derby have failed to pay their players' latest wages on time

Club's investment deal, in the pipeline for some weeks, is yet to be signed off

A spokesman for the club confirmed that the players will be paid on Thursday

Wayne Rooney is available to make his debut in the club's clash with Barnsley

Derby have failed to pay their players’ latest wages on time with the proposed new investment deal in the Championship club yet to be completed.

The squad were due to receive their monthly pay on New Year’s Eve but were informed by the club that there would be a short delay.

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The issue has been attributed to the fact that the investment, in the pipeline for some weeks, has still to be signed off. Players were reassured that owner Mel Morris was working to find a solution, and a Derby spokesman confirmed that they will be paid on Thursday.

Derby have failed to pay their players’ latest wages on time ahead of Wayne Rooney's debut

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Morris has made no secret of the fact that he has been looking for fresh investment in the club and was reported last month to be close to agreeing a deal with Henry Gabay, the co-founder and chairman of Duet Group, a global asset management enterprise.

Morris is thought to have invested more than £100million in Derby since he bought the club outright in September 2015.

He said in November: ‘We have been looking for investment and we are close to trying to get something sorted out on that front, which is important.

‘We are finding lots of people who are offering to invest in this club, but it’s finding the right partner that you can get on board with.’

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Players were reassured that club owner Mel Morris was working to find a solution to the issue

The news about the wage delay comes as Derby hope for a high point in their difficult season on Thursday, with Wayne Rooney hoping to make his playing debut against Barnsley at Pride Park.

Rooney received the required international clearance on Wednesday and is free to be included in the matchday squad.

Rooney, who has not played a league game in England since his final appearance for Everton in April 2018, agreed an 18-month player-coach deal in August with Derby, starting this month with the option of a further year.

The former Manchester United and England striker watched Monday night’s win against Charlton from the dugout.

‘He’s a very big player with a huge career and qualities, but he’s connected with the club and the people,’ revealed head coach Phillip Cocu. ‘Not only with the team, but also on the outside. He’s done a lot of community work for the club, that shows what a character and personality he is. That’s what I like.’

Derby boss Phillip Cocu hailed Rooney as a 'very big player' ahead of his long-awaited debut

Rooney has played pool with vulnerable men with mental health issues for the community trust and asked to join the Derby players on a hospital visit.

Cocu added: ‘This is completely different from when he was playing in the USA or Premier League. That’s why we have to give him time.

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‘Expectations will be sky high, he has to get into the team, get in his best shape, get to know the games, how to find the team, and they must find him as a player.

‘The players have to realise that you can’t just lean back and we win every game 5-0.’

Additional reporting: Janine Self