Derby County are finding themselves in and out of the race for the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs, failing to take advantage of the teams around them dropping points.

After a poor start to the season under Nigel Pearson, the former Leicester City boss left the club in October with Steve McClaren taking over, sending the Rams back toward the top-six.

Derby put in an impressive performance last month to defeat promotion-chasing Reading at the Pride Park Stadium, leaving McClaren’s side in a good position to solidify a Play-Off position.

The Rams are now without a win in their last three league matches, having dropped two-points against struggling Bristol City and losing at home to Neil Warnock’s Cardiff City.

Darren Bent has found some form in front of goal recently, scoring four times in his last two appearances, but his goals have been in vein, as Derby conceded seven goals in those matches.

A top-six finish in May is not out of the question, but Derby need to find the same level of consistency McClaren found when he first came back to the club.

Here are TWO players who need to impress between now and the end of the season…

David Nugent

Nugent was brought to the club during the January transfer window, signing from Premier League side Middlesbrough, with hope that his goals and experience could lead Derby to the Play-Offs.

Since his arrival Nugent has been limited to just four substitute appearances and has struggled with injury.

Bent has been preferred as a central striker by McClaren, and is now in great goal scoring form, which may limit Nugent’s chances.

Nugent needs to prove his worth to Derby between now and the end of the season, by taking the goal-scoring burden away from Bent.

Will Hughes

Hughes has stood out for Derby since his debut in 2011, excelling in seasons gone by, where the Rams have narrowly missed out on promotion.

The academy product has not had the same level of influence for McClaren’s side this season, scoring just two goals from midfield- an area where Derby have struggled to support Tom Ince’s goals.

Hughes recently signed a new deal with Derby, keeping him at the club until 2020.

McClaren will be hoping Hughes can find the form that made him one of the hottest properties in English football during the remainder of the campaign.