Derby County are believed to be leading several of their Championship rivals in the race to sign Thomas Ince on loan from Hull City.

The 22-year-old has only made eight appearances for the Tigers since joining in the summer and could be sent out to get more regular football this month.

Hull boss Steve Bruce is apparently weighing up whether he can afford to sacrifice Ince from his current squad amid injuries to several of his first-choice attackers.

Sky Sports News claims that Derby would be his most likely destination, although their promotion rivals Middlesbrough and Bournemouth are also interested,

Rams manager Steve McClaren is looking to bring in a winger after losing Jordan Ibe back to parent club Liverpool and has been linked with a bid for Queens Park Rangers pair Junior Hoilett and Matty Phillips.

Ince spent two months on loan at Derby's East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest earlier this season, failing to score in six games.