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Former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley will launch a bid to rescue Derby County after contacting the crisis club's administrators... with doubts still surrounding US businessman Chris Kirchner's own interest

Mike Ashley will launch a bid to rescue Derby as doubts surround Chris Kirchner's attempts to buy the troubled club.

Even though US businessman Kirchner was chosen as preferred bidder by administrators Quantuma in April, Ashley has never lost interest in buying Derby, who are managed by former England captain Wayne Rooney, and was contacted by the administrators on Friday.

Ashley's legal team confirmed his desire to 'acquire the club's business and assets'.

Unlike other parties who have bid for Derby, the former Newcastle owner has demonstrated that he has the funds to complete the transaction.