Derby County have been forced to rethink their transfer plans following an injury to striker target Jack Vale, according to journalist Darren Witcoop.
The Rams were said to be keen on bringing the 22-year-old on a season-long loan from Championship side Blackburn Rovers, but it was confirmed by manager Jon Dahl Tomasson that the attacker faces a ‘good while’ on the sidelines.
Vale made 15 Championship appearances for Blackburn last season, failing to score, and it was thought that a move to League One was on the cards as he looked to nail down regular first team football. However, he picked up a hamstring injury whilst on a training camp in Austria and will now remain at Ewood Park.
What Next For Derby?
Derby are on the hunt for a new striker after losing last season’s top goalscorer David McGoldrick to Notts County. The veteran former Premier League man opted to leave Pride Park at the end of his one-year deal, despite being offered fresh terms, to return to his hometown club following their promotion to League Two.
The East Midlands side have one eye on promotion this season after agonisingly missing out on a playoff spot on the final day of the League One campaign in May.
They have been active throughout the summer so far, bringing in the likes of Josh Vickers, Joe Ward, Sonny Bradley and Callum Elder. That striker position remains elusive though, with just two weeks remaining until the start of the new season.
Writer’s View
Jack Vale could have been a shrewd acquisition for Derby this summer and they will bitterly disappointed to have missed out for reasons beyond their control.
Their transfer business has been good thus far, but McGoldrick’s departure leaves a gaping hole in the squad and manager Paul Warne will be keen to solve the issue before the season opener against Wigan Athletic in two weeks’ time.
Links remain to Huddersfield Town striker Jordan Rhodes, although there have been rumours that Neil Warnock may opt to keep the veteran – for the time being at least – as the Terriers continue to scour the market for a new target man themselves.
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