Curtis Nelson is set to reunite with former Derby County boss Paul Warne, with League Two promotion-chasers MK Dons closing in on a deal for the defender.
After suffering a significant knee ligament injury last January, the centre-half has dropped down the pecking order at the Rams after his return to fitness at the end of 2025.
And the Buckinghamshire outfit are leading several League One clubs in securing his services, including Plymouth Argyle and Mansfield Town, according to Pete O’Rourke.
MK Leading The Race
MK have suffered their own injury woes this term, with Nelson’s former teammate Kane Wilson picking up an injury on the opening day of the campaign against Grimsby Town and has not been seen since.
In defence, Marvin Ekpiteta suffered a hamstring blow against Colchester United on New Year’s Day, though he is likely to return in the FA Cup against Oxford United tonight. Full-back Joe Tomlinson is set for a further two months on the sidelines. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Will Collar are also expected to be absent for an extended period of time.
That makes the signing of a defender in January key for any promotion push in the final few months of the campaign. The Buckinghamshire side are currently fifth in League Two, two points outside the automatic promotion places after three winless games.
Nelson’s Rise With Derby
Signed by Warne for Derby in the summer of 2023, Nelson made an immediate impact in his first season. As the East Midlands outfit won promotion back to the Championship, the former Cardiff City man excelled at the heart of the Rams’ defence.
Ever-present in the third tier, he helped the Rams have the tightest defence in the division, conceding just 37 times and keeping 22 clean sheets. Awarded the Jack Stamps Trophy as Derby’s Player of the Year, his terrific form continued following promotion. That was until he suffered that serious knee injury against Watford twelve months ago, keeping him out of action for almost a year.
Out Of Favour At Pride Park
The 32-year-old returned to Derby’s matchday squad at the end of November, appearing for the first time since his injury as a late substitute against Leicester City. His cameo off the bench away at Birmingham City earned plenty of plaudits, but Nelson was excluded from the squad in the first two matches of 2026.
Even with the Rams traditionally playing a back three, Matt Clarke, Sondre Langas and Dion Sanderson have established themselves as first-choice. Danny Batth has stepped up for John Eustace when required, leaving Nelson having to look elsewhere for first-team opportunities in the second half of the season.
What About The Other Interested Clubs?
Perhaps the lure of playing under his former boss, Paul Warne, is too good for Nelson to turn down, particularly when considering some of the other teams credited with an interest in his services.
Burton Albion and Plymouth are both at the wrong end of League One, but heading in opposite directions, if recent form is anything to go by. In an incredibly congested pack of sides, Mansfield’s three successive victories have lifted the Stags into the top half.
If Nelson could replicate his pre-injury form with another East Midlands outfit, it would improve Nigel Clough’s side’s chances of an unlikely assault on the Play-Offs. But, he looks poised to be a massive coup for MK Dons in the fourth tier instead.