Derby have called in the Professional Footballers’ Association to help decide what bonuses should be paid to players if they win promotion.

The Pride Park club currently stand top of the Championship table and four points clear of second-placed West Brom, although Birmingham - who lie third and with a superior goal difference to Derby - could go top if they win their two games in hand.

But now reports have surfaced the Rams dressing room could be split over possible end-of-season bonuses should manager Billy Davies’ side reach the Premiership.

A player’s scale of bonus payments is written into his contract on signing after being individually negotiated with the club and is expected to remain confidential.

However, it has been claimed recent signings have been promised "huge" bonuses in excess of those offered to longer-serving team-mates.

And Rams managing director Mike Horton, who presided over six signings during the January transfer window, has revealed the Rams are now in discussion with the PFA about how any bonuses should be handed out.

Horton - and manager Davies - are concerned the issue could affect morale in the team and threaten to derail the Rams’ push for promotion which has come less than 12 months after chairman Peter Gadsby took over the club.