Derby County’s automatic promotion hopes hang in the balance following a difficult home defeat to Fulham, with Gary Rowett’s men’s path to the Premier League looking likely to be blocked by the play-offs hurdle.

Still with a significant chunk of the year remaining, the Rams still have a long way to go before a top six finish is secured, and Rowett will look to his men in the closing stages of the campaign to ensure their top flight dream isn’t put to bed for another year.

The loss of Will Hughes and Tom Ince hit the Rams hard last summer, and Rowett used a portion of the funds to secure the big money signing of Tom Lawrence from Leicester City following an excellent year with Ipswich Town.

Here is what we have learnt about the forward since his arrival at Pride Park…

Lawrence was undoubtedly the star of the show at Ipswich Town last year, with his excellent form earning the Manchester United academy graduate an avalanche of plaudits from across the English game.

With the Tractor Boys there was nobody to challenge his status as the big fish, but at Derby County, competition for places is higher, as it the quality of the squad as a whole.

The likes of Matej Vydra have outshone Lawrence, who has taken a backseat following his summer arrival.

His name may not be in the headlines in the way he became accustomed to last season, but with almost a year in the East Midlands under his belt, Lawrence will undoubtedly return a better player in time for next season.

Lawrence has just three league goals to his name this season, but has added an element of creativity to his game, with six assists under his belt.

At Derby he was never expected to be the top scorer, with Vydra, Cameron Jerome and David Nugent just some of the players employed by the club to find the back of the net, and Rowett won’t harbour too many concerns that he is unlikely to surpass his Tractor Boys tally.

Working hard on the flanks, Lawrence has adapted to a play maker role extremely well, but having grown accustomed to bagging on a regular basis, will work hard over the summer to ensure he is in the right positions to find the back of the net on a regular basis next time out.

Aforementioned competition has forced Lawrence into a wide position, when he was primarily used by Mick McCarthy down the middle last year.

Being pushed out to the wings would always affect his output in front of goal, and fans must be patient as the 24-year-old adapts to his new instructions.

Lawrence is excellent from set pieces and a wicked crosser of the ball which makes him an ideal wide man when supplying the likes of Vydra and Nugent, but he could return to a more central role next year should Premier League interest materialise for Vydra, who has been sensational for the Rams this term.

Wherever Lawrence plays next season, expect his stats to be much improved on the current campaign.

Rams fans, thoughts on Vydra?