We are now fourteen games into the new season and Derby fans would have been expecting to see their side floating somewhere around the top six places.

A lot was expected of incoming manager Nigel Pearson, but after a dreadful start he was sacked and Steve McClaren was re-appointed for his second stint as Derby boss.

McClaren has inherited a tough job; Derby fans expect to be competing for promotion but are in serious danger of being relegated if they fail to improve their form and their squad.

Just fourteen points from the opening fourteen games leaves the Rams hanging precariously just above the relegation zone in 21st place.

With his side just two points outside the drop zone, Steve McClaren might look to roll the dice in January. He might decide to shuffle the pack; to get rid of some deadwood to get more players in.

This is the time that managers will start to look at each player's transfer value to ascertain who to sell and who to keep.

Here are THREE Derby players whose transfer valuation may come as a surprise to you, courtesy of transfermarkt.co.uk.

 

Jason Shackell - £2.55m

Jason Shackell has been unlucky with injuries this year and he is not getting any younger.

However transfermarkt still value him at £2.55m.

With Alex Pearce and Richard Keogh starting at centre half, maybe it is time to cash in on the 33-year-old and get a younger replacement.

Cyrus Christie - £850k

Cyrus Christie's transfer valuation may come as a surprise to you for a different reason.

He may be inconsistent admittedly but it seems the promising 24-year-old right back should be worth more than his estimated £850k.

The Republic of Ireland international could become a good player if he irons out a few errors in his game so maybe it is worth keeping him for now.

Darren Bent - £1.7m

For an ageing substitute whose goals have dried up completely, Darren Bent is still commanding a decent transfer fee.

The 32-year-old is valued at £1.7m which would be a good price for the forward who has scored just once all season (and even that was in the cup against Carlisle).

If Derby could get that price for the former England international, they could get his wages off their books too and get a younger, more hungry striker in.