Derby County are known for producing quality youth players, who choose to either develop them through the academy or send them out on loan.
Dajaune Brown is a prime example of the latter being actioned. The 19-year-old was sent on loan to National League side Gateshead in January and quickly became a hero.
The young striker scored six goals in seven starts, including the equaliser in extra time of their FA Trophy final, as Gateshead lifted the prize after winning on penalties.
Paul Warne decided to keep Brown at Derby County in the summer instead of sending him out on loan, and Brown has since scored his first senior goal in the draw against Hull City.
Despite suffering an injury towards the end of that match, the Derby Academy star has proven what can be achieved after a successful loan and centre-back Max Bardell is looking to follow in his footsteps.
The 21-year-old has just been sent on loan to AFC Fylde, and he isn’t the only one who should follow suit.
Jake Rooney
Young centre-back Jake Rooney should follow Bardell out of the club in January but instead of playing in the National League, he should be plying his trade in League One or Two.
Rooney recently returned from his latest knee injury, after only recovering from an ACL injury during pre-season.
The 21-year-old has made a couple of appearances for the Rams under-21s as he works his way back to full fitness, holding the captains’ armband in a 2-1 defeat to Brighton in Premier League 2.
With Eiran Cashin, Curtis Nelson, Sonny Bradley and Nat Phillips ahead of him in the pecking order, first-team opportunities at Derby look limited but he can benefit from being loaned out in January.
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Lennon Wheeldon
It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for striker Lennon Wheeldon, who recently scored his first goal for England under 18s in a 4-2 win over France.
The young striker has also been prolific in Derby’s under-21 side, with the 18-year-old netting three goals in as many Premier League 2 appearances.
While he’s enjoying a fruitful spell at the youth level and is regarded as one of the club’s top prospects, Wheeldon can accelerate his development by being loaned out, perhaps following in the path of Brown to the National League.
Dubbed ‘impressive’ and an ‘old-fashioned’ centre-forward, as per Derby’s official website, the 2006-born forward needs to test himself in the hustle and bustle of playing against men.
Freddie Turley
Freddie Turley is another who could benefit from being loaned out, either as soon as possible or during the January window.
Capable of playing centre-back or defensive midfield, Derby completed the signing of Turley from Shamrock Rovers in the summer.
The 18-year-old experienced his first taste of regular senior football last season during a loan spell at Bray Wanderers where he made 22 appearances.
Turley has since slotted into Derby’s under-21 side like a glove, making six appearances in Premier League 2 however, if he has ambitions of breaking into the first-team, a loan spell is imperative.