Derby County defender could make loan move in January

Paul Warne has not ruled out a January loan move for Derby County defender Jake Rooney to help him get regular first-team minutes.

Rooney is currently playing for the under-21s after recovering from a knee injury he picked up in the summer which derailed his progression into the first-team picture.

It was a major source of frustration to everybody at Pride Park, not least Rooney, who missed nearly all of last season due to an ACL injury he sustained in a defeat at Bolton in September last year.

Warne admits that Rooney is down the pecking order as it currently stands but says a loan move in January could be on the cards if the player thinks that move would suit him.

"I need to have a conversation with Jake and every option is open to him to discuss with me," said Warne. "We will talk to him collectively with his representative and see what is best. I feel for him because he got back from his first injury in good nick, but as it stands now, he is obviously a long way down the pecking order.

"What I don't want for him is to stagnate and go backwards in the next three or four months. If there is a chance for him to get back into the first team and play then I would presume would be his choice.

"But if, realistically, that is difficult and not as quick as he would like then you have to investigate loans. We will have a chat but it's constant monitoring. What you think today and what you think next week are two different things.

"One day he might feel a loan move is best for minutes and I respect that. But we could have two or three injuries, and he might then think things are a bit more rosy. We are going to sit down and have a proper chat."

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