The best way to describe Derby's start to the 2016/17 season would be inconsistent with the Rams having played three league games winning 1, drawing 1, and losing 1 but experiencing success in the 1st Round of the EFL Cup with a 1-0 win over League Two side Grimsby.

New head coach Nigel Pearson will not be too disappointed with that start that has put County in 14th spot, but just two points off the play-off place, and it will be seen as a huge positive that the club has kept three clean sheets in their opening four competitive matches this season.

However, Pearson will still have a desire to add more strength to his squad in order to improve on last season's play-off failure, if the club is to stand any chance of making a push for promotion to the Premier League this season.

Football League World writer Steve Day picks out FOUR potential loan signings that would be a perfect fit for Pearson, and his Derby squad before the summer transfer window closes at the end of this month......

 

Rickie Lambert

Rickie Lambert

The talisman for Derby over the past few seasons has been the physical target man Chris Martin.

The 27- year-old scored 14 goals for the Rams last season, and proved to be a crucial cog in their machine over the course of the campaign.

However, when Martin is unavailable, the Rams lack the direction and structure that is there when he does play.

Bringing in a second target man with the experience of Lambert would ensure that if Martin cannot play then the style and tactics are not affected.

Lambert stands very little chance of seeing regular first team football at West Brom with Salomon Rondon and Saido Berahino, leading the line and the likes of Jonathan Leko, also competing for a starting berth so a move to a promotion-chasing side in the Championship would be his most realistic opportunity of a starting spot.

Tyias Browning

Tyias Browningdd

There has been huge praise for the manner in which Pearson has organised his back-line so far this season.

The three clean sheets so far this season has carried on the good work of the side from last season, where they only conceded 43 goals in 46 league games.

That said, strength in depth is key for a defensive unit that intends to remain tight.

Right now, Pearson is opting with the back four of Cyrus Christie, Richard Keogh, Jason Shackell, and Craig Forsyth but depth will be key to keeping things tight at the back.

Chris Baird and Alex Pearce have deputised effectively so far but will both be happy to remain bit part players for the season?

A young prospect such as Browning offers versatility and pace across the back four.

He would gain valuable first team experience at a Championship side such as Derby and could even push his way into the starting eleven by the end of the season.

Sheyi Ojo

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An area for improvement within the Rams line-up is adding more of a creative threat out wide.

It appears that Pearson is yet to decide on what his best wide options are with Nick Blackman, Johnny Russell, Bradley Johnson, Jacob Butterfield, and Thomas Ince all being given spells out on the wing in the four competitive matches thus far.

Ojo had just started to break into the Liverpool first team last season after a successful loan spell in the Championship with Wolves.

He is a versatile attacking midfielder and would provide the front line with the assists that the Rams missed at key times last season.

The 19-year-old is unlikely to break into the Liverpool starting line-up this season after they signed a number of creative options, such as Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum over the summer so a move to Pearson's side could be in the pipeline.

James Wilson

james wilsonjames wilson

For a number of years, Wilson has been tipped as the next big thing at Manchester United.

He was just 14 years old when he made his debut for the Under-18s back in October 2010, and there was huge excitement surrounding his debut for the first team on 6th May, 2014 where he scored two goals in a 3-1 victory against Hull City.

Wilson was shipped out on loan to Championship side Brighton last season but could only manage 5 goals in 25 league appearances, as Seagulls manager Chris Hughton opted to play Israeli forward Tomer Hemed as his leading striker for the majority of the season.

The 20 year old is still tipped for big things in the game and he has 1 goal in 1 appearance for England Under-21s showing his habit for putting the ball in the back of the net has not gone away.

He would make a classy addition to a Derby attack that could do with Wilson's predatory instincts up front.

What do you reckon Rams fans? Are these four players you would love to see added to your squad? Are there other players you would prefer to see involved? Let us know below!