Derby County are unilkely to make any additions to their squad this week, with Phillip Cocu having to settle for bringing in players into the club in the last two weeks of the window, according to Athletic reporter Ryan Conway.

Cocu was thoguht to be keen to add to his squad early on in the transfer window, as he looks to boost his options and help to maintain the Rams' positive run of form, which has seen them secure seven points from their last three Championship matches.

The Rams are in need of adding to their defensive options in partiular this month, with Cocu's side needing to invest in another centre half during the transfer window, with Curtis Davies and Matt Clarke having to be relied upon to start at the heart of defence each game following Richard Keogh's departure earlier in the season.

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Derby have been linked with a move for Leicester City's Filip Benkovic, but it now appears that they will need to wait until the last few weeks of the window before securing any move for the defender, or anyother potential targets they have this month.

The Verdict

This will be frustrating for Couc, who was wanting to conduct his business as soon as possible so that he would be able to get any new signings to bed in quickly, and start to make a real impact on the Rams over the next few weeks and months.

However, the January transfer window can be a very challenging one for clubs to get deals over the line, and Derby will need to be patient if they are going to be able to secure their main transfer targets this month.

Whether this delay will mean that Derby will not be able to secure their first choice targets is unclear at the moment, but Cocu will be hopeful that the club do manage to bring in their main options this month, as he looks to reinforce his squad to help continue their recent up turn.