This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Derby County manager Phillip Cocu is planning a January raid for Celtic outcast Scott Sinclair, it is being reported on Football Insider, after the 30-year-old has failed to start a single match all season.

The winger even failed to make it into manager Neil Lennon's latest matchday squad so the Rams are keeping tabs on the situation, as they look to strengthen in the wide attacking areas in the winter window.

So would Sinclair be a good signing for Derby and is he actually needed?

We discuss.........

Chris Gallagher

"He'd be a decent signing but they can find better.

"Sinclair was tremendous for Celtic when he first joined and has shone in the Championship with Swansea in the past.

"However, he seems to have lost that explosive speed that made him so dangerous in the past 18 months and that has impacted his game.

"He would still offer the side a goalscoring threat from out wide and he is a cool finisher but his reported £30,000 a week salary would make him a big earner at Pride Park and that's a big commitment for the club.

"So, they should look for younger options first with the long-term in mind but he would be a decent addition if they did bring him in and would help their play-off push this season."

Ned Holmes

"I think this could be a really interesting signing for the Rams.

"Sinclair hasn't had many opportunities this season but he showed in the 2018/19 campaign he could still play at a high level–scoring 17 goals and providing six assists.

"With the Rams reportedly set to send Jamie Paterson back to Bristol City, bringing in the Celtic man as an extra option makes a lot of sense.

"The 30-year-old has been on the fringes of the first-team this season, not yet making a start, so you feel he and Celtic may be open to a move in January."

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Chris Thorpe

"I think this would be a superb signing for the Rams, Sinclair is very experienced at Championship level and I believe he would be keen to prove himself once more in English football.

"He would not only provide creativity from wide areas, but also goals, which is something that Derby have been found to lack so far this term, meaning that Sinclair fits the bill for what Cocu is looking for.

"He has been in and out of the Celtic side this term, so I feel this could be his last big career move, and what better way to see out your twilight years by returning to English football.

"It remains to be seen if Derby will indeed make a move for Sinclair, with the club already awaiting the arrival of Wayne Ronney in January, their wage budget could be tight, so players may need to be offloaded before further additions can be made."