Steve McClaren 'Losing Jordon Ibe forced Thomas Ince deal'

Derby County manager Steve McClaren has suggested that Liverpool's decision to recall loanee Jordon Ibe pushed the Rams into striking a deal for Hull City's Thomas Ince.

Ince, who has made just nine appearances for Hull since joining from Blackpool and spent a brief period at Nottingham Forest, agreed to join County until the end of the season.

McLaren is quoted by The Express as saying: "Tom Ince is an exciting talent and we're pleased that he will be spending the rest of the season with us.

"We've obviously found ourselves a bit short out wide lately with Jordon Ibe returning to Liverpool and Johnny Russell picking up a hamstring injury, so to bring someone of Tom's calibre in is a real coup for us.

"He knows what the Championship is all about and has made a real impact in the division before, so we hope that he can have an influence on our side for the rest of the season."

Ince had been a reported target for Inter Milan before agreeing to join Hull in the summer.