Exclusive: Derby County and QPR chase late Middlesbrough transfer | OneFootball

The Rams and R's are interested in the defender, but will be forced to wait until Boro find cover.

Derby County and QPR are both chasing Middlesbrough's Anfernee Dijksteel, but the Teessiders will not let him go until they bring in a right-back of their own, sources have told Football League World.

The Rams are in need of another full-back following Kane Wilson's hamstring injury that he sustained against Sunderland just under two weeks ago, and Boro's number two has been identified as a key target.

Paul Warne's side are on a seven-game losing run in the Championship, and reinforcements are needed to help drag them out of the relegation zone and towards safety, while QPR are battling for a play-off place.

Derby are currently 22nd in the table, two points off safety, and they have already brought in three new faces to the club in the window to help them in their fight.

Derby and QPR battle it out for Dijksteel

FLW can exclusively reveal that the two Championship sides are in direct competition with each other for the services of Dijksteel, but they will have to wait for Middlesbrough before a deal can be brokered.

Derby have already been in contact with Michael Carrick's side twice in the last week, after Matt Clarke made the journey back to the East Midlands for a third spell at Pride Park, while they also held talks with midfielder Daniel Barlaser.

However, with their injury issues, a right-back is now a desire of Warne's, and they have returned to Boro to find the solution to their problems.

Nevertheless, with a lack of cover in the position themselves, Middlesbrough are making both the Rams and QPR wait until they can find a replacement before they sanction his departure.

Derby are desperate for new faces

It's been an incredibly tough few months for Derby, and they have won just four of their last 26 league games. They have also picked up just one victory on the road all season, and more experience is needed to ensure that they do not make an instant return to League One.

The additions of Clarke and Sondre Langas at centre-back have helped reinforce the defensive line after Eiran Cashin's move to Brighton & Hove Albion, and Dijksteel will only add to that.

Ryan Nyambe came off against Sheffield United at half-time, and the Rams' resources at right-back are stretched, therefore, they must beat QPR to the 28-year-old if he becomes available in the final hours of the window.

Warne is under extreme pressure and the support of the fans has been lost during this run, but a new-look starting XI and positive results will only help in his fight to stay in the dugout at Pride Park.