Derby County manager Gary Rowett has said that he has no wishes to sell his out-on-loan striker Chris Martin and sees him as part of his future plans.

Rowett told RamsTV that he had phoned Chris Martin during the international break and had a “good conversation with him” and told him that he looks forward to having the striker back at Derby.

Martin is Fulham’s current top scorer with ten goals in 25 appearances for the Cottagers since joining the west London outfit on loan and there have been a number of developments since, with ex boss Steve McClaren attempting to recall him in January.

He signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal at the club instead and now the Rams boss has revealed he has spoken to the striker, saying: "I had a good conversation with Chris in the week.

"I think he is looking forward to coming back and being part of what we are doing.

"I have read some reports recently that I am going to imminently sell him. That is certainly not the case.

"With Chris, it was a case of: 'Look, we can't wait to get you back. Hopefully, you are looking forward to coming back. You are Derby County's player until someone says otherwise'.

"I told him one or two things that we would like to try to do next year and told him how we see him as part of that - and he seemed really enthused by what we were talking about."