A patchy run of form has seen automatic promotion chasing Derby County fall away from the top two, but with just under a third of the season remaining, manager Gary Rowett will remain confident in his side’s ability to end their Premier League exile.

The Rams boss suffered a difficult start to last year’s transfer window when he lost star pair Will Hughes and Tom Ince to the Premier League, but invested the money accrued for the young pair in a plethora of top quality second tier level players.

Curtis Davies and Tom Huddlestone have proven prude, experienced additions to the squad, and Sam Winnall has established himself as a decent season-long loan signing from Sheffield Wednesday.

Rowett will be busy again in the summer wherever his side end up playing their football next term, and Rams could expect these deals to be completed in the coming months…

Despite only signing a new contract last year, Martin has been shipped out on loan once again, and surely his time at Pride Park will come to an end in the summer.

The 29-year-old spent the entire campaign with free scoring Fulham last year, and after struggling for the Rams this term in overt twenty appearances, many of which have been from the bench, Rowett decided to move him on again.

The striker will have two years remaining on his deal in June, and should no offers materialise that match the player’s current wages, then there really is no reason for him to leave the club.

Rowett must decide in the summer whether to lose or use him.

30-year-old Pugh has been instrumental in Bournemouth’s miraculous rise to the Premier League, joining the club in 2010 and performing remarkably as the Cherries defied all expectations.

Approaching the end of his current deal, it appears the winger could be allowed to move on in the summer to make way for fresh faces, and Rowett should strongly consider offering the player terms ahead of the new campaign.

Pugh has experience of escaping this division, something that will prove essential should the Rams fail in their quest for promotion this term.

Even a promoted squad at Pride Park would be boosted by the addition of the Burnley academy graduate, and moves should be made soon to sound out a potential deal.

A bold one, but if the Uruguayan can return from injury in the coming months and prove that he still has his goalscoring touch, then the summer free agent would be a remarkable signing for the Rams.

Hernandez is almost guaranteed to leave struggling Hull City when his deal runs out, and if he can be convinced to remain in the second tier and resist probably approaches from the likes of China and clubs on the continent, then Rowett simply must consider a deal.

The player has history at this level, and has proven that his goals can be relied upon to secure promotion following success with Hull in 2016, and should the funds be available to fund his contract, then surely this is a no-brainer for the former Birmingham City boss.

Rams fans, let us know your thoughts!