Derby County are fighting for their lives in the Sky Bet Championship at the moment and their loss at Blackburn Rovers on Friday night will not have helped them all confidence-wise.

Indeed, a huge few weeks await the Rams as they look to secure their safety, with Wayne Rooney under perhaps the most pressure he's been under so far during his short spell as County's full-time boss.

Currently, it is hard to call just whether Derby are going to be in the Championship or League One next season and, certainly, they are going to need to add to their side regardless of division next year.

New owners are at the club to potentially help that, of course, and so with that said we're taking a look at eight players who could be decent signings for the club.

They're either linked or are realistic targets - let's take a look at them now...

Luke Jephcott kicks off our list.

The Plymouth Argyle forward has had a fine season at Home Park with 16 goals in League One and he is being linked with a host of clubs at the moment.

Derby are one of those with the 21-year-old apparently valued at £5m at the moment by the side from the south-west.

Indeed, he's a player that has considerable potential and his pushing to move into the Championship, with Argyle only able to offer him League One football next season.

Lee Gregory is a player that is already at Derby and we could well see him join the club permanently in the summer if the Rams decide that is what they want to do.

He is currently injured and out for the season but has still left an impression on Wayne Rooney with him saying that the former Millwall forward has been 'fantastic' during his time with the Rams.

A decision will be made on him in the summer window and it remains to be seen what Stoke City want to do with him too, of course, with them his parent club at the moment.

Another striker Derby County may want to take a look at is Stephen Humphrys who is another striker to have had an excellent season in League One.

Rochdale have had it tough in the third tier, of course, and are facing a relegation fight themselves but without the goals of Humphrys, they might well be already down so it's clear the impact he has had.

Indeed, he looks a striker more than capable of playing at a higher level and Derby will obviously want to be able to offer him that in the Championship next year.

Akin Odimayo has had a cracking campaign for Swindon Town who, like Rochdale, are currently up against it in a fight to remain in Sky Bet League One for next season.

The youngster certainly looks capable of playing at a higher level than the third tier in his career and, for him, it's all about getting the right move next that will provide the next step in his progression.

Derby are a side that have developed some top young players over the years and should be one he considers, with the Rams also linked with him as things stand.

Joey Dawson is a good young player that is currently on the books of Scunthorpe United and it looks as though that might only be the case for a little while longer.

The Iron have seen both the Rams and Celtic linked with him lately and there is every chance, therefore, he could be moving away from them in the near future.

Indeed, as with the Odimayo line, Derby have a good record of developing young players and helping them become senior pros, something Dawson will obviously want to do during his career as he bids to play at the highest level.

Dubem Eze is another youngster being linked with the club at the moment and could well be one to watch in the future.

He has been on trial with the Rams and it is being expected that they are going to complete a permanent deal for him once he turns 17 a little later this year.

Indeed, he represents another young player to arrive at Pride Park with a bright future and the aim will be to bring him towards the first-team and senior action as soon as possible, providing he is ready of course.

Teden Mengi has done well on his loan from Manchester United and it looks very possible that he could be remaining at Pride Park for next season too.

Wayne Rooney has spoken about his appreciation for the defender's versatility in the back-line and there seems every chance that an extension of his loan into the new campaign will be announced in due course.

Another young player, it is clear that the Rams are currently focusing on youth and developing them at the moment as they try and turn things around - they'll hope they are in the Championship next year.

Dion Charles rounds off our list.

He's another striker that has had a fine campaign in League One this season with him up near the sharp end of the top goal-scorers list.

He's worked his way up and now finds himself in the EFL with Accrington and it seems highly possible that he'll move on this summer to another higher rung on the ladder.

Indeed, he's got an eye for goal and real industrial qualities that make him a nuisance for opposing defences and it'd be no shock to see someone like Derby come in and get him signed.