Rams Target Trio

Derby County have been linked with two new faces and are continuing to pursue their interest in Martyn Waghorn as Nigel Clough looks to freshen up his squad during the January transfer window. The latest player to be linked is Kilmarnock striker Conor Sammon who is leading scorer for the Scottish club with seventeen goals in twenty-six games so far this season with reports suggesting a bid is imminent from The Rams. Sammon nearly joined Scunthorpe United earlier this month after a fee was agreed between the sides but he turned down the move. Nigel Clough reportedly had the striker watched at the weekend and Kilmarnock boss Mixu Paatelainen spoke of his relief that the player turned down the move south of the border:

'It's a great boost that he's still here. Any team that wants to be successful needs goal scorers. Conor has everything a striker needs. He's a good size (6ft 2ins) and has presence. He is a strong boy, he's quick, good in the air and has shown what a good finisher he is.'

Clough has spoken this week of his attempts to bring in another defender ahead of the clash with Ipswich Town after the enforced break for the FA Cup this weekend after being linked with Daniel Ayala of Liverpool. The youngster spent time on loan at Hull City earlier this season and even managed a goal in The Rams disappointing 2-0 defeat at The KC Stadium back in September. He has recently come back from injury and Clough told Radio Derby:

'We are trying for Daniel. He has had a hamstring injury so he is getting fit. We are just about agreed with the club, it's just convincing the player and trying to do the deal. Dean Leacock is out for two games so we certainly need a left-sided centre-half in before we play Ipswich."

The Rams are also continuing their efforts to bring in Martyn Waghorn from Leicester City to boost their attacking options with Chris Porter the only recognised striker currently fit. The deal appears to hinge on injuries at the Walkers Stadium with Sven Goran Erikkson not willing to let him leave until his own strikers have recovered from recent problems but Cough sees him as the answer to the lack of pace up front telling Radio Derby:

'Leicester had a couple of knocks so they wanted to see how the weekend went. But we'll be pursuing that again on Monday. The Forest defeat showed a lack of pace in the team and in the squad. We've been trying to find someone for a considerable amount of time and Martyn fits the bill. We need somebody to run beyond. We need that in the team.'

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