Rams ready themselves for January transfer window

John Eustace has addressed the possibility of signing defender Dion Sanderson permanently and replacing injured striker Carlton Morris when the transfer window opens in January.

Birmingham City loanee Sanderson is available for selection for Saturday's game against Middlesbrough after serving a suspension, and when asked if a permanent deal was on his radar, Eustace told BBC Radio Derby: "Possibly, for sure, I think he's done fantastically well.

"I obviously know Dion from my QPR days, Birmingham days, Blackburn days, so I know the kind of character he is. He's a top, top player in my opinion when fully fit and I think he's been proving that throughout this season.

"His performances have been excellent and most importantly, he's a really good human being, and he's another great character to have in the group, into the squad and his performances have been getting better and better, but also he drives the standards."

Derby are waiting for clarity on the injury to Morris, the Championship's joint top goalscorer this season, but Eustace has ambitions to bring in another striker if his absence is long term.

"We want to keep bringing in good players to the group if we can," Eustace said.

"It's about helping the squad and if that's available then brilliant. If not then we have to get on with it and we have to make sure we stick together and keep getting positive results."

Listen to more from John Eustace on BBC Sounds.