Derby County trio attracting interest from League One clubs
Derby County trio attracting interest from League One clubs
Derby County trio Tom Barkhuizen,
James Collins and Joe Ward are all attracting interest from League One clubs, reporter Darren Witcoop has said.
Derby County have struggled to maintain form in the Championship after an initially encouraging start and
as such, an important window lays ahead.
Further additions are needed, but there’s also scope to shift out some of those on the fringes at Pride Park.
Now, it is claimed there’s League One interest in some who fit into that category.
Writing on X, reporter Darren Witcoop says Tom Barkhuizen, James Collins and Joe Ward,
all have third-tier admirers. Though not specified who is keen on who, it seems Rotherham United,
Leyton Orient, Lincoln City and Stockport County are keen.
After the initial reports from Witcoop, it has been added by Pete O’Rourke that Lincoln City are in
advanced talks to sign Collins from Derby County.
Worthy promotion winners
As Darren Witcoop mentions, it’s James Collins, Tom Barkhuizen and Joe Ward who are subject to interest,
three players who played significant roles as the Rams returned finished second in League One last season.
Striker Collins would bring plenty of experience to any League One side as he hit 19 goals in all competitions
during the Rams’ promotion from the third-tier.
He’s an excellent hold up player but has failed to find the net so far for Derby County this season.
As for versatile wide man Ward, he has failed to pull up any trees since joining the Rams from
Peterborough United during the summer of 2023.
His time at Pride Park has been heavily impacted by injuries but he’s is an excellent crosser of the ball and
is a player suitable for the top teams of League One when playing as part of a back five.
Lastly, coming to Barkhuizen, he has had similar fortunes to Ward this season having spent substantial portions injured. The winger made 37 appearances last season for Derby County with 12 goal contributions,
often deployed on the wing.
Smart additions?
Barkhuizen is a player capable of improving the attacking fortunes of any League One side and
so would be beneficial for any of the four sides named.
For Leyton Orient, the addition of Dilan Markanday on loan from Blackburn Rovers may suggest that
the Derby County wide man is not an option for them.
Lincoln City may seek his signature which would bolster their wide areas,
adding competition for Hackett-Fairchild whilst Rotherham United may seek his signature to add
creativity to a front line that has scored just 28 goals this season.
Collins meanwhile would add quality to Lincoln’s strike force with manager Michael Skubala seeking
another striker. With the Imps and the O’s,
it would be a case of bringing in something quite different to what they already have in their arsenal.
He would not meet the profile of player at Stockpot County,
who deliberately lowered their age profile of players over the summer and signed young Icelandic striker
Benony Breki Andresson this January.
Ward’s crossing appeal and set-piece qualities may appeal to the most to the Hatters,
particularly with their use of wing-backs, which suits Ward.
Though, due to his injury record and the record of Macauley Southam-Hales, he may not be needed.
Ward however, would provide excellent competition for Tendayi Darikwa on the right at Lincoln.
Time will tell just what comes of their situations though, with League One sides keen.
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