Derby County's former owner Mel Morris and Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson have finally opened talks over Boro's legal claim against the Rams, Sportsmail understands.
Discussions have been taking place this week, ahead of Derby's trip to Teesside to face Middlesbrough on the pitch in their Championship fixture at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.
Security has been heightened for that fixture, after the status of the game was raised to the highest risk level amid fears that emotions could spill over in what is expected to be a volatile atmosphere. Special measures have reportedly been put in place to protect Gibson.