into a fifth month and increasing cynicism over whether it would ever be completed, the deal was officially called off on 17 March 2021 after his company, Dervention Holdings, failed to come up with the necessary funds by a deadline set by Derby Chairman Mel Morris. It was revealed that Derby were in "advanced talks" with Spanish businessman Erik Alonso, as well an other, unnamed, investors - one of whom was described as a "dream suitor" by The Daily Telegraph's John Percy. The "broken promises" surrounding the collapse of the takeover was reported to have "soured" the relationship between Morris and Rooney, though Rooney strongly denied this. With the departure of under-23s manager Gary Bowyer to League Two Salford City, former-defender Jake Buxton was linked with a return to the club to fill the position until the end of the season. There were also rumours that Nicky Butt, who has just quit his position as Head of First Team Development Coach at Manchester United, would be joining the club in an undisclosed position. With the end of the season approaching, links with potential new signings for the upcoming 2021-22 season, with Luton Town forward James Collins amongst the first names mentioned. April Derby resumed the Championship campaign on Good Friday with a 2–0 home victory over Luton Town and a 3–1 defeat to play-off chasing Reading on Easter Monday which saw then end the Easter programme eight points clear of the relegation zone with six games remaining, though every team below them bar bottom-placed Wycombe Wanderers had games in hand. The squad was also beginning to pick up injuries; during the Luton victory Lee Gregory picked up a season-ending hamstring injury, whilst Martyn Waghorn (hamstring) and Matt Clarke (compacted groin) were both ruled out for a number of weeks. Following this, the Reading defeat saw Nathan Byrne suffer a concussion, ruling him out for seven days under EFL concussion rules, and Jack Stretton, fresh from a successful loan spell at Stockport County, went off with an ankle injury less than twenty minutes after coming on as substitute. Coupled with the long-term absences of Jordan Ibe, Krystian Bielik, George Edmundson and Curtis Davies this left Derby short of nine of their first team squad for the visit of league leaders Norwich City and 11/2 sixth favourites for relegation. Former-Derby loanee Kieran Dowell's 21st-minute free-kick was the difference as Norwich edged past