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Paul Warne's January transfer in-tray as Derby County face big decisions
The January transfer window opens for business in under a month's time which will give Paul Warne the chance to make adjustments to Derby County's squad.
There is plenty of scope to do business as Derby look to stay clear of being dragged into trouble at the foot of the Championship and it promises to a fascinating start to the year.
Derby had a busy summer in terms of adding players to the squad but it is inevitable they will look to reshape the squad as they look for a strong end to the second half of the season.
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Here DerbyshireLive takes a look at what might be in Warne's in-tray ahead of the market opening for business....
Solving the striker issue
It feels like we have been saying this in every window for the entirety of Paul Warne's reign, but the need for a striker has never been more clear.
Some fans think the search for a forward at the peak of his powers even extends beyond Warne's tenure as the club's head coach, but either way, a striker has to be a priority. The club's recruitment team, headed up by the Sporting Intelligence unit, is more than aware that this issue needs addressing. While everybody is on the same page in Pride Park's corridors of power, the January window is a notoriously difficult proposition.
Prices go up because it is the middle of the season and you may recall that in Warne's first season in charge that a move for Jordan Hugill was in the pipeline until Rotherham came along and offered ridiculous money to help aid their relegation fight.
The reality is that the pool of players available in the New Year is nowhere near as large as it would be in the summer, but Derby are exploring all avenues including the European market. While Derby have scored more goals this season than all but one side below them in the Championship, there is a wide-held belief, certainly among the supporters, that a striker of second-tier pedigree would improve their points return but also take some of the burden off Jerry Yates.
Derby will back Warne again in the market, provided the deals make sense on the balance sheets and the head coach admitted earlier this season that a mobile targetman was his preference. Ali Al-Hamadi would be a dream signing, but whether Ipswich would be willing to part company is uncertain. If they were, Derby would explore whether they could make it happen given Warne has been long-term admirer stretching back to when the striker was at Wimbledon.
However, given Derby's already-limited 25-man squad, there will have to be outgoings in order to bring in players. Warne has already hinted there may well be departures, particularly those who sit on the fringes of the squad. But finding that striker could be the difference between a nervy end to the season and a comfortable one.
Departures to be expected
With Derby at their 25-man squad limit, of which five are loans, there will have to be exits as a necessity if they are to make signings and that opens a question as to who could be on their way.
Sonny Bradley's absence from the bench at the weekend was notable and he may also feel that he is best served making a move elsewhere given he is in the last year of his contract. Joe Ward has not played since the 2-1 defeat at Stoke where his performance at right-back was ended at half-time when he was substituted.
As for the loans, there is also a debate to be had regarding Tawanda Chirewa who has made just two starts since signing on loan from Wolves may well be another contender for the exit door. It's hard to see him break into this team as it currently stands and Wolves may well see it that way too.
Jake Rooney may be a contender for a loan move away from Derby as he continues to make his return from a knee injury sustained in the summer. Warne is set to hold talks with the defender who has been playing with the under-21s, but competitive first-team football would be good for him and he would have no shortage of admirers given the promise he has shown since joining the club. You suspect there will be lots of honest conversations taking place.
Other positions to consider
While the search for a striker will undoubtedly command the headlines, there are arguments for other positions of the squad to be strengthened. The loss of Ryan Nyambe has been a considerable loss given how well he was playing before he damaged his PCL in the draw at 1-1 at Millwall.
Ward is more suited to a wing-back role leaving Wilson as the only authentic right-back on the books and should he pick up an injury, that would leave Derby short of options given Nyambe is not expected to return until next year.
There is also a debate to be had regarding another central midfield player although David Ozoh's impending return will be most welcome given his absence has been acutely felt. A midfield of Ozoh, Adams and Goudmijn looks the strongest on paper although Liam Thompson has been excellent in recent weeks and Ben Osborn had his best game at Derby in the 2-1 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday.
But there has been an eagerness to add more goals to the team and it was interesting to hear Warne say that could come through a striker, a winger or a number eight which tells us none of those options are off the table. As Warne says, it depends on who is affordable and available, but you sense it will be a pivotal window for the second half of the season.
