Phillip Cocu is expected to be a busy man in the January transfer window, as he prepares to reshape his Derby County squad in preparation for the second-half of the campaign.

The opening half of the season has been disappointing for all concerned with the club - the Rams sit seven points off the play-offs, and have failed to find any sort of consistency this season whatsoever.

Their form at Pride Park and their form away from home is completely chalk and cheese. On their home turf, Cocu's men look solid, winning five of their last six matches in the Championship.

But away from home, Derby have seriously struggled this season, winning just one game and not picking up an away victory since their opening day win at Huddersfield Town.

With Wayne Rooney available to play from January onwards, you feel that England's all-time leading goalscorer won't be the only player to arrive at Pride Park.

Can you score 13 out of 13 on this Derby quiz?

But if Cocu wishes to add new faces to his squad, then he may need to get rid of some first, and there might be some players who will be itching for a move away albeit on a temporary basis.

Here, we take a look at three Derby players that could benefit from a loan move away from the City Ground next month...

Louie Sibley

Sibley has been a standout performer for Derby's under-23 side this season, but it's about time that he got out and played regularly in men's football.

The 18-year-old has made two first-team appearances for the Rams this term and impressed against a very strong Nottingham Forest side in the Carabao Cup.

But it's unlikely that the young attacking midfielder will get any real game-time in the second-half of the campaign, especially with Rooney coming in.

A move to a League One side could be beneficial for the youngster's development.

Morgan Whittaker

Whittaker is another young player who has impressed in the under-23's set-up this season, and has since been rewarded with a couple of Championship appearances.

The 18-year-old has made four league appearances for Forest this season, looking bright when coming on from off the bench, and has shown glimpses of his true quality.

In the second-half of the campaign, a loan move to a League One could do him the world of good as he continues to adapt to life in the EFL and men's football in general.

Florian Jozefzoon

Jozefzoon has endured a turbulent season under Cocu and has been in and out of the team under the Dutch boss.

The winger has flattered to deceive on numerous occasions, with the winger failing to replicate the performances he put in whilst at Brentford.

The 28-year-old has made just nine appearances for the Rams this season with only six of those coming from the off, and he has been an unsued sub for the majority of the campaign.

He was linked with a move to Schalke in the summer, however even a temporary move away from Pride Park which allows him to play regularly would be best for him.