Derby County are reportedly one of a number of Championship clubs interested in signing striker Kyle Lafferty in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Lafferty impresses for Kilmarnock

The 33-year-old is currently a free agent, having impressed for Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership last season.

Lafferty scored 13 goals in as many appearances for Tommy Wright's side, proving that he is still a player who possesses plenty of quality in the final third.

The Latest: Derby keen on move

According to Football League World, Derby are one of a host of clubs eyeing up a summer move for the Northern Ireland international.

Lafferty would be available on a free transfer and could be someone that Wayne Rooney sees as being a regular source of goals in the Championship, as the Rams look to surge higher up the table next season.

The report states that West Brom, Cardiff City, Middlesbrough, Birmingham City, Ipswich Town and Wigan Athletic are all monitoring the situation, too.

The Verdict: Worth the risk?

Admittedly, the Championship is arguably a step up in quality from any of the Scottish leagues, but Lafferty could be worth taking a gamble on.

He has won 82 caps for Northern Ireland, scoring 20 goals along the way, playing in pressurised situations and not shrinking when expectations are high. His record for Kilmarnock also speaks for itself.

Lafferty doesn't represent the long-term future and may not quite be the player he was, but he could thrive as an experienced option working alongside Rooney, who mastered the art of being a striker during his playing days.

In other news, Derby are believed to be interested in signing a star player for another team. Find out who it is here.