Derby County's preparations for tonight's clash with Leeds United took a bizarre turn on Thursday when a suspected spy was escorted from the Rams' training complex, report the Telegraph.

Manager Frank Lampard was forced to stop his final session before the clash when the man was spotted watching from a distance. When he was found by police, a pair of binoculars, pliers and a change of clothes were discovered on the man.

The report from the Telegraph states that there are suspicions that the man was intending to pass information onto Leeds and that efforts are being made to ascertain whether or not he is also employed by the Whites

Marcelo Bielsa's side currently sit top of the Championship table with 26 matches played whilst the Rams sit in sixth place, eight points behind the league-leaders.

Leeds ran-out 4-1 victors at Pride Park back in August during the reverse fixture, but Lampard will fancy his side's chances given their opponents have lost their last three matches in all competitions.

The verdict 

This is just the bizarre sort of story we all love to hear about.

Obviously, if the man was employed by Leeds to go and spy on the Derby training then it is despicable and a disgraceful form of cheating, but until that is proven we can only speculate.

It does emphasise the importance of the match anyway.