Paul Warne reveals transfer plan as Derby County's January agenda takes shape

Paul Warne says it is a priority to strengthen his Derby County forward line but conceded he is not exclusively looking for a number nine.

The January transfer window opens in a month's time with the Rams likely to be active as they carry out minor adjustments to the squad. A new striker has been talked about as a potential addition with Derby currently relying on on-loan Swansea forward Jerry Yates, Dajaune Brown, James Collins and Conor Washington.

Warne says he has not ruled out a centre forward as he looks to add more goals to the team but says that could also come in the guise of a midfielder or a winger.

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Asked whether adding to his forward line would be his number one target in January, Derby's head coach said: "It's always a priority. In games that are tight you score from set-pieces or a wondergoal. In fairness, I might be wrong, but I felt their (Swansea's) first goal, a turn and hit, was unbelievable.

"We haven't scored really any of those this year. You always want to strengthen the frontline and I would say that even if I had Liverpool's. That's not offensive to the players I have, but you need goals in the team. If you can't get it through a nine, then maybe it's a number eight or a wide player who can chip in.

"It's not an exclusive look for a nine but if you want to improve the team, and everyone moved down the bus and you can get better than who you've currently got, that's how football is. It's a harsh world. We are in the job of winning games and sending fans home happy and maybe we didn't do either.

"Meetings have started. It's still November and even if you think you can have this player there are six or seven games to go before January. Everything is going in to get us prepared as we can, but you are always in the hands of fate really."

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