Derby County are still very much in the midst of a crisis of sorts, with the Rams still yet to have completed their takeover or appointed a new manager to succeed Philip Cocu. 

Add to the fact that they are currently sitting in the relegation zone of the Championship standings after picking up just two victories all season, things are looking bleak at this early stage of the campaign for the Pride Park club.

Here, we take a look at SEVEN players who should be on Derby County's transfer radar as January fast approaches as they desperately seek to salvage what is left of the current league season...

Joe Pigott is a name that many fans of the Football League will now be familiar with, as the Wimbledon striker has once again proved to be a hit at League One level for the Dons, notching up double figures already this term. Not your usual target man, Pigott could offer Derby a good option to replace the goals and hold up play that were lost by Chris Martin's departure.

The young Frenchman is yet to have made a senior appearance for Arsenal since his move across the channel and could really benefit from some regular game time as we enter the second half of the campaign. Having already shipped over 20 goals this season, the Derby backline could do with some shoring up, meaning a loan move for the teenage centre back may be just what they're looking for in January.

Twine is another young player who is making a name for himself in the lower reaches of the EFL for Newport County and could well be recalled by parent club Swindon Town in January with a few to selling the player for a decent fee. The 21-year-old is capable of scoring and assisting from central areas and would certainly help the Rams to improve on their paltry goal scoring return this season.

Having fallen out of favour at Newcastle United, Longstaff could well be a logical option for the Rams to take on loan this January, with the youngster capable of offering some real drive to the Derby engine room if he were to make a temporary move to Pride Park. The youngster can play in a holding role and as a box to box player and would give the club the quality they have lacked in the centre of the park.

Once again having been left frustrated by a lack of first team opportunities at the Emirates, Smith Rowe could once again be loaned out by the North London club in January, with the player having only played three times for the first team this term. He would offer a good alternative in wide areas to Tom Lawrence and Kamil Jozwiak, whilst the youngster can also play as a number 10.

A combination of injury problems and increased competition for places at Chelsea could well see Tomori head out on loan in January and surely the Rams will be keeping tabs on the defender's situation following his successful spell with the club back in the 2018/19 campaign under Frank Lampard. He'd offer some much needed pace to the backline, whilst also bringing a good existing connection with the club's fanbase.

Watters has been a revelation for Crawley Town this term and is fully deserving of all the praise and attention that has been coming his way in recent weeks after netting a highly impressive 15 goals in 15 games across all competitions for the Red Devils so far. Understandably interest in the striker is expected to be high this January and Derby should definitely be throwing their hat into the ring for this pacy frontman that could be the answer to their goal scoring woes.