The Derby County duo are still in search of a club after being released this summer.
When reviewing Derby County’s transfer business at this late stage of the summer window, it is safe to say that Paul Warne has a completely new-look squad at the helm in comparison to the side that got the Rams promoted from league One in the 2023/24 campaign.
The retained list for Derby County following their promotion showed a sizeable number of departures, particularly in the midfield and attacking areas.
The likes of Conor Hourihane and Korey Smith departed Pride Park following the conclusion of their contracts, leading to widespread changes over the summer in the centre-of-the-park.
The attack has also completely changed, with Kayden Jackson and Jerry Yates notably signing ahead of the 2024/25 Championship season, as well as the most recent arrival of Tawanda Chirewa from Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan.
These additions in attack were made as a result of the significant departures in the summer, two of which are still looking for a club.
Former Derby County duo Dwight Gayle and Martyn Waghorn still looking for summer move
The summer saw Rams attacking duo Dwight Gayle and Martyn Waghorn leave the club following the end of their contracts, and the pair are still yet to find their next club following their release.
Both Gayle and Waghorn were involved in the Professional Footballers’ Association’s squad of free-agents that took on League One side Cambridge United, playing alongside the likes of Ravel Morrison, Michael Hector and Jamal Blackman.
Waghorn returned to Pride Park following spells at Coventry City and Huddersfield Town, and the 34-year-old was able to make a significant contribution to the Rams’ promotion bid in the 2023/24 season, scoring seven goals in 24.
Gayle on the other hand joined the club for just half a season, scoring three goals and notching an assist in just 325 minutes of league football.
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Dwight Gayle could be useful for Derby County this season
Whilst he shouldn’t be first choice in terms of bringing in extra firepower for Derby County this season, Gayle certainly showed promise in his six appearances for the club before his time was cut back as a result of injuries.
Gayle may not come out on top against the likes of Yates and Jackson, but as someone to bring on from off the bench, the 34-year-old could prove to be useful, and with him being a free agent, it would be quite a shrewd coup for Warne’s side, providing that wages aren’t too steep.
Stints in the Championship showed that Gayle maybe was no longer up to the level of Championship football, however he appeared to have got his confidence back up in Warne’s set-up, and his abilities could easily make a significant difference that should not be underestimated.