Derby County’s transfer planning has shifted according to Frank Lampard, following the injury to Curtis Davies.

Lampard lost his captain to an Achilles injury against Stoke City that will leave him sidelined for a reported six months.

That leaves Richard Keogh and Fikayo Tomori as Lampard’s first choice options in the heart of defence, with the former Chelsea midfielder admitting to Derby’s official media that the injury to Davies had “shifted the planning” heading into January.

The loan market, which has proved to be successful for Derby so far this season, is also an option for Lampard in the New Year.

For now, Lampard has to make do with his playing squad heading into the crucial festive period.

Derby head to Wigan Athletic on Saturday afternoon looking to record back-to-back victories for the first time since mid-October.

Last time out, a Harry Wilson brace was enough to record a 2-1 victory over Swansea City, which helped Lampard’s side keep the pace with the other clubs chasing a place in the Championship’s top-six.

The Verdict

Circumstances are bound to change plans at this stage, and from the outside, it looks like Derby will need a replacement for Davies heading into the New Year.

It isn’t just Davies’ quality as a player that Derby will miss, the Rams will also struggle without his exceptional leadership, which is surely something else that Lampard is considering ahead of January.

Thoughts? Let us know!