Derby County boss Paul Warne has admitted the EFL restrictions placed on the club will make some elements of deals awkward for them in the January transfer window.

As part of their agreement to come out of administration, the Rams signed up to a business plan with the EFL.

The EFL statement released at the time stated: "As part of the conditions of continuing membership in the EFL, the club, whilst remaining under a registration embargo, will be permitted to sign new players in accordance with the terms of a business plan."

"The plan, which has been jointly agreed by the new ownership and the EFL, includes restrictions in respect of transfers fees, player wages and agents’ fees. Any application to register players must comply with the terms of those agreed plans."

Now, when looking ahead to the January window, Derby boss Paul Warne states that although fees are rarely involved at League One level, the restrictions the club are under could make some deals 'awkward'.

He does, though, point out that the club are an attractive proposition that players will want to sign for.

"It is hard and it doesn't make it any easier not having fees," Warne explained, via DerbyshireLive.

"However, loads of League One teams don't pay fees. I'd be amazed if there are five players or more who go for a fee in January.

"But you will get players who are signed with a loan with a view to a permanent or a loan with a fee. Or if we get promoted or in the play-offs then there's a little bit extra to pay out.

"Those are the little bits around deals that might make it awkward for us.

"I am not complaining about it.

"We are a club that players who will want to come to and we have a good reputation with other clubs. But it's not 100 per cent ideal."

Derby currently sit 8th in League One as they prepare to host Sheffield Wednesday in action tomorrow afternoon.

Kick off at Pride Park is scheduled for 12:30PM.

The Verdict

It clearly is not ideal for Derby County to still be operating under transfer restrictions.

Indeed, as Paul Warne states, when it comes to the odd deal here or there, it could make things a bit awkward for the club in trying to get a signing across the line.

However, as Warne states, not many clubs in League One are paying transfer fees anyway, so in that sense, it may not be as much of a burden as it might have been.

I guess only time will tell how it affects things in January, however, in the summer, the club still managed to get plenty of options through the door despite the restrictions.

It may just be a bit harder to do that in January with contracts typically tending to end in the summer at the end of the season as opposed to halfway through the season.