Report: Derby County turn attention to Fulham striker Ross McCormack

Championship promotion hopefuls Derby County have reportedly contacted Fulham over a possible loan deal for striker Ross McCormack.

The Rams appear keen to add a striker to their ranks for the final two months of the season with Chris Martin missing for the last month and on-loan forward Darren Bent out until April.

Derby were linked with a move for Blackburn Rovers' Jordan Rhodes, but it now seems that Middlesbrough are in the best position to sign the 25-year-old, even though Rovers boss Gary Bowyer yesterday said that he was going nowhere.

According to the Daily Mail, Steve McClaren has now turned his attention to McCormack, who has gone backwards this season after an £11m move from Leeds United to Fulham.

McCormack was the division's top scorer last term, but he has only netted 10 times in 34 league appearances for the struggling Cottagers this term.

It is believed that Derby could offer a loan deal with a view to permanently signing the Scottish international at the end of the season.