Championship side Derby County have turned their attentions to free agents after falling to get a deal done for Birmingham City’s Maikel Kieftenbeld, reports manager Gary Rowett via The Derby Telegraph.

The Rams released a statement on their official website on Thursday confirming that the EFL had not approved the deal for the midfielder, meaning that the 27-year-old will return to St Andrew’s until January at least.

And with midfielders Jacob Butterfield and Craig Bryson leaving the club on loan on deadline day, Rowett is now slightly short in the central midfield department, what with prized asset Will Hughes also moving on during the summer window.

And manager Rowett admits that the Kieftenbeld debacle is set to force him to consider free agents ahead of the rest of the season.

He said: ‘What we're now looking at is the free transfer market, players out of contract.

‘There are still some good players out there who would be able to strengthen our squad. So they are the sort of options we are looking at also.’

These comments are sure to intrigue Derby fans, who have seen their side make a solid if unspectacular start to the new Championship season, having won two of their opening five matches.

And it remains to be seen who starts in the centre of midfield for their clash with Leonid Slutsky’s Hull City this evening.

The Verdict: The failed Maikel Kieftenbeld pursuit would likely have frustrated several Derby fans on Thursday, and the wider implications of the failed deal leaves the Rams particularly short in midfield.

Manager Gary Rowett may well have decided against sanctioning the loan moves of Jacob Butterfield and Craig Bryson had he been aware of a possible glitch in the Kieftenbeld deal, and now it leaves Derby in the precarious position of having few central midfield options until January.

Yet Rowett has admitted that he is considering free agents in a bid to bolster his ranks, albeit he did stop short of naming any players as he seeks to rectify a frankly shambolic situation.

Derby fans… what do you make of the news? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!