Derby County manager Phillip Cocu has revealed that the club are hoping to announce their first signing of the January transfer window next week, according to Ryan Conway of The Athletic.

Derby reached the Championship play-off final under Frank Lampard last season, but have struggled for consistency this season under Cocu. They're currently 17th in the league table, eight points outside the top six.

The Rams have won their last there matches in all competitions, though, and Wayne Rooney's arrival at the club seems to have given the rest of the players a much-needed confidence boost.

There's still plenty of time for Derby to get their season back on track, but many feel as though Cocu will need to strengthen his squad in the transfer market this month, if the team are to do so.

Speaking at pre-match his press conference ahead of the Championship clash with Middlesbrough this weekend, for which The Athletic reporter Conway was present at, Cocu revealed that the club are hoping to announce their first signing of the transfer window as early as next week.

The Dutchman admitted that the club are closing in on the signing and that things are looking positive, although he also admitted that the club tried to get the deal done sooner.

QUIZ: Where did these 15 Derby County players sign from?

The Verdict

This is exciting news for Derby fans. After just missing out on promotion last season, the club would have been hoping to challenge for the top six this season, but it hasn't worked out like that so far.

There's still plenty of time for the team to get their season back on track, but Cocu needs to sign some news players this month to give the team the best possible chance of doing that.

One of the priorities for Derby this window has to be signing another central defender, as the club have looked vulnerable at the back at times so far this season and have really struggled since losing Richard Keogh.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.