Derby County's off-field struggles continue to be highlighted at present due to the club's continuing failure to find a buyer. 

Various names have been linked with a takeover of the troubled Pride Park outfit, however as of yet there hasn't been much of a breakthrough in the Midlands.

Chris Kirchner is the main name in the frame at present, with the BBC recently reporting that the US businessman is still keen to takeover the Sky Bet Championship side despite the fact that they were recently deducted a further nine points, to add to the initial 12 that they were subtracted for going into administration.

Speaking recently after the latest deduction, Kirchner was quick to state the following as he moved to calm the fears of some Derby fans that he could pull out of a potential deal:

"As I said in my letter this would be a long and complex process and it has proven to be exactly that and we knew there would be challenges with the club including additional points deduction which has not changed my intent.

"We are continuing with our work and diligence on the club. Yesterday my attorney was notified by the EFL that after our Owners and Directors Test submission of almost a dozen documents including sufficiency of funds and origin of funds they do not see any facts or circumstances that would result in any disqualifying condition.

"This is a great milestone in the process and I thank the EFL for their quick work on this matter."

It has also been stated in a piece by Derbyshire Live that the administrators overseeing the process expect to land on a preferred buyer within the next two or three weeks, thus raising hopes that Kirchner's proposed takeover could well be entering the home straight.

That means that everything should be wrapped up by the back end of January, which potentially means that Wayne Rooney could be allowed to add to his squad at the turn of the new year, albeit under the guidance of a strict business plan.

Overall things are looking a lot brighter for the Rams at this precise moment and the hope will be now that a takeover can be completed sooner rather than later with January in mind.