Derby County catch member of Leeds United staff spying on training

There was a bit of controversy across the water this morning.

Derby County on Friday confirmed that a man was spotted acting suspicious outside of the club's training ground on Thursday.  The man is a member of staff at Leeds United and his presence prompted Derby County to contact the police. The Rams face Marcelo Bielsa's side at Elland Road on Friday evening, and Frank Lampard's club contacted their hosts regarding the training ground spy. It's early doors in Frank Lampard's reign as manager, but this is most definitely one of the most bizarre things he'll have to deal with at Derby. The club soon released a statement where they confirmed that the police were called to the scene.

"Derby County Football Club can confirm that officers from the Derbyshire Constabulary were called to the Derby County Training Centre at around 11:20am on Thursday 10th January 2019 following reports of a man acting suspiciously outside the premises," read the statement. "It has since been confirmed to Derby County that the individual concerned is an employee of the footballing staff at Leeds United Football Club. "The club is now in discussion with Leeds United club officials in relation to this incident. "At this time no further comment will be made."

The Derby Telegraph newspaper provided some extra detail on the man in question, that he was wearing plain clothes, had a set of binoculars on tick and pliers in hand. Leeds United top the Championship table ahead of Friday's match, with Derby sitting sixth in the table.