Derby County have been beaten just once during their last 12 outings in the Sky Bet Championship and sit in fourth place in the league table.

With Paul Clement overseeing his maiden season in charge of the Rams it would be fitting if he could secure a place in next season's Premier League to mark his arrival in the East Midlands.

The Rams already possess an embarrassment of riches within their squad and have already spent close to £30 million this season as they look to spend their way to promotion.

With January on the horizon, Clement will no doubt look towards potential recruits to bolster the Rams' squad ahead of the closing months of the season.

Football League World writer Lee Clarke takes a look at FIVE players who could realistically join the Rams on loan in January.....

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE PLAYERS!

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Michail Antonio

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The West Ham United winger has found first-team football hard to come by since arriving at the Hammers from Nottingham Forest in the summer.

Paul Clement expressed an interest in the winger whilst he was still a Forest player, but unsurprisingly a move never came to fruition.

Now his loyalties are not with the Reds, a move back to the Midlands with the Rams looks much more likely.

James Wilson

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Another player who is desperately craving first-team football is Manchester United youngster James Wilson, a player who the Rams have courted previously.

United were all set to loan the striker to the Rams in the summer but injury problems meant they were reluctant to see him leave the club.

With United seemingly preferring to play Memphis Depay and Marouane Fellaini up front instead, it seems only a matter of time until Wilson spends time out on loan.

Tom Carroll

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The 23-year-old midfielder is struggling to make his mark on Mauricio Pochettino's starting eleven, and it he desperately needs to be playing first-team football.

A loan move to a Championship club would surely be beneficial for all parties involved, and he would add yet another piece of technical ability to an already very strong Derby midfield.

Adam Armstrong

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With the Rams possibly looking to try and bring in another striker, Armstrong could be someone who would fit the bill.

It remains to be seen whether or not his parent club Newcastle United would be willing to recall him from a current loan spell at Coventry City.

With the player setting League One alight however, they could be keen for the player to be tested at a higher level and loan him to a Championship club, which could tempt Derby into taking the striker on a temporary deal.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

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The Chelsea midfielder has been in scintillating form for the Chelsea Under-21's this season, and boss Jose Mourinho will be keen to get the player some first-team football.

Rams boss Paul Clement's Chelsea ties could see him move into pole position for the player's services should the Blues opt to loan him to the Championship.

With doubts over the return of Will Hughes from a serious knee injury, a central midfielder looks to be a priority for the Rams and Loftus-Cheek would be a real coup.