Derby County may have grasped the edge over their promotion rivals after making the astute signing of Dwight Gayle on a free transfer.
Derby County felt it was necessary to dip into the free transfer market after discovering top scorer James Collins would be sidelined till April at the earliest.
Collins has done an exceptional job at leading the line for Paul Warne’s side having plundered an impressive 18 goals this term.
The 33-year-old has played a prominent role in their charge towards automatic promotion, especially in the absence of Martyn Waghorn, Conor Washington and Arsenal loanee Tyreece John-Jules.
But following his injury, he has now handed the baton over to experienced EFL striker Dwight Gayle, who was unveiled as the Rams new signing on Monday night.
At the age of 34, Gayle arrives with plenty of experience at levels higher than Derby currently play at having previously fired Newcastle United to promotion from the Championship in 2017.
Although he’s lost a yard of pace, you never lose the scoring touch as a striker and he’ll aim to seamlessly transition into the starting XI at Pride Park.
Dwight Gayle is what Derby County ‘need’ in promotion race
Derby’s promotion rivals had to stand up and applaud them for attracting a player of Gayle’s calibre to the club, but that just shows how desperate Warne is to escape the clutches of the third tier.
However, other sides in the division weren’t the only ones to wax lyrical about the acquisition.
Speaking on the Official EFL Podcast, Julie Ferrington believes he’s exactly what the Rams need in their battle to escape League One.
She said: “What’s interesting me about Derby is that they bought Dwight Gayle in. I think that is a really really canny move.
“Yes, he’s 34, yes he’s probably not as quick as he used to be, but he has that experience, he scores goals and that’s what you need at this stage of the season if you’re trying to get promoted out of League One. I just think Dwight Gayle will bring composure, calmness and that experience which is probably what Derby need.”
Gayle can make a difference
Throughout his career, Gayle has had a knack for being in the right place at the right time to finish chances and while he’s no spring chicken anymore, he still knows where the back of the net is.
The veteran forward has scored 106 goals and has enjoyed some serious highs, including his time at West Brom where he netted an impressive 24 goals in 41 appearances.
A player of Gayle’s calibre is bound to make the difference for Derby in the promotion race, softening the blow of losing Collins through injury.
Once praised by Alan Shearer as “magnificent” during his time at Newcastle, the striker boasts a similar play style to Collins as he likes to make penetrating runs in behind the defence and occupies dangerous positions in the penalty box.
Derby supporters will have watched him tear up the Championship throughout his career, and now they will be hoping he can destroy League One in his path and help the Rams return to the second tier.