Plymouth's bid to sign Derby midfielder Gary Teale has stalled, according to Home Park boss Paul Sturrock.

The Scotland international spent the latter part of last season on loan at Argyle after falling down the pecking order at Pride Park.

Sturrock now wants to re-sign the 29-year-old but the £500,000 fee wanted by the Rams is a major stumbling block.

"The transfer fee is a real problem at this minute in time," Sturrock told the Plymouth Herald.

"Gary has been a high earner for a long time so I have got to weigh up the whole scenario.

"We have been talking to Derby and to his agent to see if there is any middle ground. That's where it stands."