Darren Moore would be Stuart McCall's dream summer signing - but the City boss told fans: It's not going to happen.

Rumours have been rife around West Yorkshire that Moore, who turned 34 last week, could be the next member of the old-boy network to return to Valley Parade.

With Paul Jewell preparing a major rebuilding programme at Derby following their humiliating term in the Premier League, the powerful centre half may find himself surplus to requirements at Pride Park - despite being named the club's player of the year this week.

Moore was a defensive cornerstone of City's promotion to the top flight nine years ago and the supporters, as well as the manager, would love to have him back.

But McCall admitted: "If we could manage to get someone of the calibre of Darren Moore to our football club, it would be the biggest coup since I came back!

"He would be the type of professional I would love to have at the club. He has matured since my time as a player with him and is the sort of character and leader that would be an absolute joy to have here.

"It would be an unbelievable signing if that was ever to come about. I would rate it extremely unlikely and he has another year on his contract at Derby anyway, so that will quash that rumour."

Moore missed only two games during City's 1999 promotion campaign and was the only player in the side to be named in the PFA's divisional team of the season.

But his relationship soured with chairman Geoffrey Richmond when they could not agree on a contract and he never played in the Premiership. Six months after City went up, Moore was sold for a cut-price £500,000 to Portsmouth.

Moore has become a specialist at going up from the Championship since, winning promotion with West Brom twice as well as Derby last season.

But he has always maintained close links with City and close pal Wayne Jacobs. He played in the Save Our City game, organised by the Telegraph & Argus, in 2004 and walked the Great Wall of China alongside Jacobs the following year.

McCall said: "I don't know where the rumours have come from. The last time I spoke to Darren was a couple of months ago.

"I remember Paul Jewell saying that Darren has been one of their most consistent players during a horrible season and, if he was to become available, I'm sure there would be at least another 30 clubs higher than us in for him.

"With Darren's track record for getting teams promoted out of the Championship, he wouldn't be short of offers."

Championship new boys Swansea have already been linked with Moore, who has made more Premier League appearances than any other Derby player this season.

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