Derby County manager Nigel Clough has been very impressed with striker Chris Martin – and is to ask Norwich City about extending his loan stay at Pride Park.

The 24-year-old's one-month loan is due to expire after Saturday's home game against Leicester City.

He made his debut for the Rams as a substitute in the defeat at Watford and he has started the last three matches against Crystal Palace, Cardiff City and Birmingham City.

'We've been very pleased with his performances so far and we would like to extend his loan,' said Clough.

'We will have a chat with Norwich and, hopefully, try and get something sorted to keep him.'

Clough describes Martin as an 'intelligent' footballer and says the player has been unlucky not to have scored two or three goals in his loan spell.

'Chris knows where the ball is going before it comes to him. He knows what is around him and he has the attributes to play that position well,' Clough told the Derby Telegraph.

'He is a handful in the air. He makes it awkward for centre-halves and I don't think a centre-half has had a comfortable header against him since he has come into the team.

'Chris has been very unlucky not to get a goal.

'At Birmingham on Saturday, he was denied by a brilliant save and another shot struck the heel of a defender as he has turned his back.

'He had a goal disallowed at Cardiff that was onside and Julian Speroni pulled off a good save from him when we played Crystal Palace.

'He could easily have had himself a goal or two, or even three. Chris is getting into the positions, which is good.'

Clough says Martin is also building his match fitness, having made a total of only 15 first team appearances this season for City and Swindon prior to his loan move to Pride Park.

'It is strange to be saying that in March but one or two players are still doing that, because they haven't played much,' said Clough.

'We've got both ends of the spectrum – lads who haven't played enough and lads who have played too much. There are not many in between.'

Martin is out of contract at Carrow Road at the end of the season and has made only three of his 117 senior appearances for the Canaries this season.