The EFL are set allow Derby County to sign out of contract players but any deals with have strict wage limits, as per a recent report by BBC Sport.

Despite this latest development, the transfer embargo is still set to remain in place at Pride Park, with Derby operating under the restrictions because of four separate reasons.

The Rams were only able to name nine senior players in their recent pre-season friendly match against Manchester United and have now been granted permission to sign players who are out of contract under a set quota of rules.

It is said that players can only be signed on contracts which last for one season if they move to Pride Park permanently, whilst any loan deals are only permitted to last half a year.

The situation will also be closely monitored by the Football League, who will seek to impose a strict salary limit on every individual signing.

Derby are said to remain in conversations with the EFL in order to build bridges, with the club aiming to resolve the ongoing issues as soon as possible.

The Verdict 

Things aren't exactly getting any easier for Wayne Rooney and co at present, but this development will certainly help in the short term.

The free agent market is now sure to be Derby's first port of call as they look to scrape together a side that is ready to play in the Sky Bet Championship and this is sure to be their toughest window in years.

Being able to bring in loan players, albeit for half a year, also helps to paper over the cracks whilst these various off field issues are sorted.

Rooney's priority now will be to put together a squad that can remain competitive in the second tier with the limited resources that he has available to him at present.