Derby confirm stance on player sales in January amid search for new ownership

Administrators in charge of Derby County are continuing the search for new owners.

The beleaguered club were plunged into admin last month. The 12-point handicap handed down to the club immediately sent them to the bottom of the Championship.

It follows a turbulent year on and off the pitch for Derby in which they have experienced botched takeovers, a long-running legal wrangle with the EFL, transfer embargoes and a last-day relegation play-off.

Now, administrators have revealed that there will "there may be a need to sell players" in January.

They say that may arise if new owners are not found by then.

Derby chief Wayne Rooney

The admission was delivered by acting administrator Carl Jackson, who attended a Supporters Charter Group Meeting on Monday night.

Minutes from the meeting also confirmed that the administrators have "ensured" Category 1 academy status will be something that the club "can retain" whilst Paul Aldridge has joined the administration process as an "independent consultant".

Despite the doom and gloom off the field, instead of demoralising the players the deduction has seemingly inspired them.

Since the announcement was made, Wayne Rooney's side have picked up seven points from a possible 12.

They beat both Stoke and Reading, and drew with Swansea whilst narrowly going down to Sheffield United - only after conceding a last-minute penalty.

Last weekend's draw with Swansea saw Derby go level with Bournemouth as the Championship's best defence. They have conceded just eight goals in 11 games, keeping five clean sheets.

Rooney said following the shut-out: "The players are showing attitude, spirit and enthusiasm.

Curtis Davies has been a key part of Derby's solid defence in the Championship this season

"It is good that this game has happened, on another day we could have got frustrated and lost our discipline, but with everything that has gone I think for the lads to keep their concentration, stay in the game and stick to what we were trying to do, was good.

"Overall I am pleased with the point because I think if this was last season we might have caved in."

Should Derby have to have a fire-sale in January then skipper Tom Lawrence, Jason Knight and Lee Buchanan are ones that could fetch in decent transfer fees.