Derby County have been handed a potential transfer boost by the EFL following the recent injury sustained by Colin Kazim-Richards.

What's the talk?

That's according to a report by Derbyshire Live, who relayed Sky Sports' presenter Michelle Owen's claim that the EFL may well be willing to make an exception to Derby's ongoing transfer embargo on the basis that Kazim-Richards is ruled out for a significant amount of time.

The report states that as Wayne Rooney currently has 23 players of professional standing in his first-team squad, he cannot make any further additions to his squad in the summer transfer window.

However, according to Owen, the 35-year-old may be able to sign a replacement for Kazim-Richards, with the presenter stating: "We have spoken to the EFL following that injury to the Kazim-Richards and they have said 'if it is a severe injury and if he is out long-term the EFL may be willing to make an exception to the rule based on medical advice'."

Rooney will be buzzing

While the injury to Rooney's only senior centre-forward will have undoubtedly left the manager gutted, if he is able to bring in a replacement for the 34-year-old in the coming weeks, this disappointment could quickly turn into delight.

Indeed, should the former England international indeed be permitted to sign a new striker, once Kazim-Richards has recovered from his injury, the 35-year-old will then have another option to choose from in attack, allowing him to rest and rotate between the two players - or potentially three players, including 19-year-old Jack Stretton - something that could well prove invaluable during the closing stages of the club's Championship campaign.

However, it should be said that the length of time Kazim-Richards will be ruled out has not been determined as yet, nor have the EFL confirmed that Rooney will indeed be able to sign a replacement for the striker.

However, it is undeniable that, following the devastation of losing the 34-year-old to injury, the fact Rooney could be handed something of a get out of jail free card by the EFL will have the manager buzzing.

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