Rams look at Irons striker

Reports in today`s newspapers believe Rams boss Paul Jewell is ready to launch an £800,000 bid for 20-year-old Scunthorpe striker Gary Hooper.

Hooper began his career with then Isthmian Premier side Grays Athletic as a 15-year-old, in the 2003-04, helping them to win the league scoring 12 goals in his 29 league appearances.

The following 2005-06 season in the Conference National, Hooper scored 8 times in 40 league appearances, before joining Southend United on trial in July 2006 and was rewarded with a one year contract by Southend manager Steve Tilson the following month.

Hooper made his Southend debut as a substitute for James Lawson in the 3-1 win over Bournemouth in the League Cup in August 2006, but struggled to hold down a first team spot.

In March 2007, Hooper joined Leyton Orient on loan but returned to Southend on 1 May, when the club activated a 24-hour return clause in his contract.

Hooper was loaned to Hereford United in January 2008 and went on to become one of Hereford's most successful loan acquisitions of the season. His 11 goals from 19 appearances helped Hereford finish third in League Two and secure promotion.

In July 2008, Hooper signed for Scunthorpe United for a deal eventually worth £175,000, and in his first game for Scunthorpe United Hooper scored in a 2-1 defeat at Glanford Park against Leeds United. He scored his first hat-trick against Brighton and has scored nine goals in his first 11 games.

Do the Rams need another striker with Liam Dickinson scoring regularly in his loan spell at Blackpool and with Luke Varney just arriving from the Valley?

Who knows, just watch this space as the transfer window opens in January.

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