Is Dwight Gayle the answer to Derby County's striker woes?

Derby County have added veteran striker Dwight Gayle as a free agent until the end of the season.

Gayle most recently played for Stoke City where he struggled to make an impact scoring three goals in 45 games.

The former Newcastle and West Bromwich Albion man has had a lot of success in both the Championship and Premier League in the past and Paul Warne will be hoping he can channel some of that magic at Pride Park.

The Rams have had issues at the striker position all season long, but with top scorer James Collins having suffered a fairly severe injury, is Gayle the answer to Paul Warne's prayers?

Derby's striker woes

James Collins has been excellent for Derby this year. The 33 year-old has scored 13 goals in League One and stepped up his game massivley following on from the departure of David McGoldrick in the summer.

The Rams tried to add some proven goalscorers in Martyn Waghorn, Conor Washington and Tyreece John-Jules. However, all have struggled with injury issues for the majority of the season which has left Collins as Derby's only striking option.

However, Collins suffered a knee injury against Exeter City last week and is expected to be out for a lengthy period with a return at the ealiest in mid to late April; right at the end of the season.

So with that in mind and the fact that Derby failed to add a striker in January, Paul Warne had to make a move for a free agent.

Dwight Gayle

It is common knowledge that Dwight Gayle is a proven goalscorer, but how much of an impact can he have for the Rams.

Well, there are going to be dooubts about his match fitness for a start. The 34 year-old has only appeared in 10 games for Stoke this season and so after a period of free agency too, he won't be ready to play 90 minutes straight off the bat.

As he is an older player, it could take a couple of weeks for Gayle to regain his match fitness, which could feel like a long time for Paul Warne and Derby fans.

The benefit of signing Gayle is simple however. He knows how to get goals.

His spell at Stoke City has been poor, but a step down to League One could be exactly what he needs to regain his confidence. Furthermore, he will be playing for Derby team that don't struggle to score goals.

Many of James Collins' goals didn't need him to be quick or agile, but he always got himself into the right position to capitalise.

With Gayle's age, he may not be the speedy striker that he once was, but with his scoring prowess, he will easily be able to get into the right areas to score and so could rack up plenty of poacher-type goals.

Even if Gayle struggles to score, he will give Paul Warne some extra depth at a position where the Rams are as thin as any side.

A very good signing for the Rams, which could turn out to be a promotion winner.