Clough, who is expected to name Egert among his side to take on Aston Villa later today, admitted that the decision to sign the Czech defender will be primarily based upon his remaining budget - following the club's recent relegation from the Championship.
Egert penned a short-term deal with the Pirelli Stadium club last season and was invited to return for pre-season training this summer but is yet to receive a contract offer, allowing him to look elsewhere while Clough and the Brewers board continue to prepare for the coming campaign.
Speaking via the Derby Telegraph ahead of his side's pre-season clash with the Villans, Clough said; “We’ve got to make a decision on Tomas. A lot of these things will come down to finances. When you’re in the Championship, you can afford to carry a bigger squad. But it’s going to be a tight squad this season.
"Tomas impressed us last season and he’s done well this pre-season, so it will purely come down to, if we are going to take him as cover, can we afford to do that?"