Derby County have found themselves in some fine form in recent weeks after winning five of their last six games in League One.
The Rams now sit in sixth place and have scored the fourth most goals in the league (31).
Derby’s goals so far have been spread across the team, with James Collins netting seven, Martyn Waghorn on six and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing bagging five goals.
Paul Warne has also been able to rely on Conor Washington on occasion this season, with the forward netting three goals and providing two assists in 14 appearances.
However, Derby County suffered a major blow during the international week, with Washington confirmed to be ruled out for at least three months.
The striker came off the bench in both of Northern Ireland’s EURO qualifiers earlier this month and returned with ankle ligament damage, which now requires surgery.
This could leave Washington missing out on up to 17 of Derby’s remaining 29 League One games.
While the Rams are able to turn to the likes of Collins and Waghorn, Washington will still be a massive loss for Warne and he may want to look to bolster his attack in January.
Here are five strikers who Derby County could sign to replace Conor Washington…
Connor Wickham
Connor Wickham is without a club after being released by Cardiff City in the summer.
The 30-year-old failed to impress in the Championship last season, but previously netted six goals in only 16 games in the third tier for Forest Green Rovers before earning his move to Wales.
Wickham could well return to League One and could be a solid back-up option for the Rams.
Divin Mubama
Divin Mubama has come through the ranks at West Ham and was named their Young Player of the Year last season.
The teenager scored 13 goals in 20 games in the PL2 Division 1 last time out and has also made seven senior appearances.
Mubama has already rejected a new contract with the Irons and his current deal is set to expire next summer.
Paul Warne has already suggested there is a very ‘slim’ chance that Derby would sign Mubama, but that could all change by January.
Scott Hogan
Scott Hogan scored ten goals in the Championship in back-to-back seasons for Birmingham City, however he hasn’t netted since August.
The striker has found himself on the bench in three of the last six games and could potentially be on his way out ahead of his contract expiry in the summer.
Hogan’s salary may be an issue though, with the 31-year-old said to earn around £11,500-per-week.
Mason Burstow
Mason Burstow is currently on loan at Sunderland, but could well be recalled by Chelsea after falling out of favour.
The striker bagged 10 goals and four assists in 25 appearances for Chelsea U21s last season, but is yet to score for the Black Cats.
Burstow hasn’t started their last five games and, if the Blues were to try and send him out on loan elsewhere, Pride Park could be a potential spot.
Freddie Ladapo
Freddie Ladapo scored 17 goals last season as Ipswich Town were promoted to the Championship.
However, the striker has fallen out of favour in the second tier and has managed only one start this season.
With Ladapo behind the likes of Conor Chaplin, Nathan Broadhead and George Hirst in the pecking order, Ipswich could look to offload him in January in preparation for a potential second promotion up to the Premier League.
Darren Witcoop reported in July that the Rams were already looking at Ladapo, but signed Washington instead.