Tom Huddlestone was linked with a shock move to Serie A outfit Udinese on transfer deadline day, but the midfielder remained at Derby.

It would have been a strange move and Huddlestone must have considered one last chance of properly making it in a top flight of some description, but he opted to remain at Frank Lampard’s Derby. 

The veteran’s contract expires at the end of this season, and Huddlestone could have been shifted on by Derby in order to gain a bit of money, but the approach probably happened too late in the day.

Yet some Derby fans wouldn’t have been too disheartened to see Huddlestone leave. 

The midfielder, 32, is in his second stint at Pride Park, the club he started his career. He was a regular last season but has managed just 13 starts this term, with Frank Lampard often preferring the energy of the likes of George Evans, Craig Bryson et al. 

A couple of Derby fans on Twitter said they wouldn’t have been too bothered to see the veteran Ram go, however. 

Despite all this, Huddlestone staying put should come as a relief for Derby fans. 

Alongside Richard Keogh - another player fans love to hate - he is one of the more experienced heads in what can only be described as a fairly youthful Derby County team. 

When the going gets tough, Huddlestone will have an impact both on the pitch and in the dressing room to help Derby over the line. 

He may not be the box-to-box midfielder he once was, but his passing range and football intelligence are both qualities that mean his decision to stay at Pride Park should be welcomed.