Having reinforced his defence with three quickfire signings in less than 10 days, Nigel Pearson and the Bristol City recruitment team appear to have diverted attention further up the field to the midfield.
Irrespective of what happens to Alex Scott over the next two-and-a-half months, the Robins need additions in the middle of the park both for the immediate future, but also beyond given that Matty James and Joe Williams are entering the final 12 months of their respective deals.
Derby County’s Jason Knight is a live target for City and a player who, on the surface, very much conforms to City’s transfer model given his ability, age (22) and potential. The process is likely to accelerate over the next week but with interest elsewhere in the Championship it’s far from a given that Pearson will get his man.
To find out a little more about the midfielder, we spoke to Derbyshire Live's Derby County reporter Leigh Curtis for his analysis of the 22-year-old and how he's developed in a Rams shirt...
Can you sum up what sort of player Knight is?
He is very tenacious, hard-working and possesses a relentless mentality. He is also extremely versatile in that he can play a variety of positions and in what is a great credit to his understanding of the game, he doesn't weaken the team wherever he is deployed.
I really like him as a player, but I would hope having played in attack for Ireland, midfield and full-back for Derby, he can really nail down one position and make it is own.
At 22, he's still in the embryonic stages of his career but he's got plenty of experience. If there is one area he could improve on, it would be his goals and assists, particularly if you are playing in an attacking midfield role. He's got the capability.
How did he develop over the course of last season?
It was a hard season to judge him really as he started off at right-back where he did such a good job under Liam Rosenior but was then moved into midfield by Paul Warne where he fitted his high-press philosophy perfectly. I think a lot of people would say his engine is his greatest strength, but he can certainly play and I think that gets forgotten sometimes.
When he played in midfield his role was to press, but he showed good quality on the ball at times. He just needs to improve his goals and assists, that's the only thing really left for him to crack. He's certainly a fearsome competitor.
He's played numerous positions, as you say, what do you forecast becoming his best role?
Hard to say, really. I loved him at full-back, but I don't think he would be keen on being played there truth be told. I think his tigerish approach makes him perfect for the centre of midfield. Whether that's more a defensive role rather than an attacking one is open to debate.
What are his main strengths?
Well, he can certainly run. His energy levels are terrific. For me, he was one of the players who you always knew that, in the final 10 minutes, could just keep on going. He is like a Duracell Bunny. He just never stops.
He's a decent crosser of the ball and as he showed against Morecambe, with the goal he scored in a 5-0 win, he's got decent feet too. The way he rolled the ball with the toe to deceive a defender was top class. If you go onto YouTube you can check it for yourselves.
And his underlying weaknesses/where he needs to improve?
As I've previously mentioned, he's got so much ability, but he just needs to have more of an impact on games. Adding goals and assists needs to be his next aim if he is going to play in an attacking midfield role.
How would Derby fans feel if he was to be sold this summer?
I think Derby fans can see the predicament the club is in. He's got 12 months left on his contract plus he's got his international ambitions too. Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny has made some comments about needing to play at a higher level so it's a bit like Krystian Bielik's situation in many ways.
Most of the reaction I've read is that if Derby get a decent fee and it can be reinvested then he will go with their best wishes I suspect.
Could you give an insight into his character at all?
He's a winner. He wants to win at everything. Training games, proper games, you name it. He's given brilliant service to Derby after coming through the academy and he's a popular figure around Pride Park.
Paul Warne is a huge admirer and in fact, during an interview last season, he said Derby are much more like the team he wants to see when he is playing. That says a lot about his character.
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