The Rams are pushing for promotion back to the Championship at the second time of asking under Paul Warne after narrowly missing out on the play-offs on the final day of last season, but they face tough competition from Portsmouth, Bolton Wanderers and Barnsley.
County have scored 58 goals so far this season, the joint second most in League One, helping them to the best goal difference in the division.
But they have now lost their top scorer in Collins for a significant period after he suffered ligament damage to his knee during their win over Exeter City.
Derby have now signed Gayle following his release from Stoke City as they look to fill the void left by Collins’ absence, but with the veteran being the best of a small pool of options, it just shows how much the Rams failed to address that area of the pitch when they needed to the most in January.
He is a proven marksman and has helped teams to promotion before, playing a key role in Luton Town’s back-to-back promotions from League Two all the way through to the Championship.
Collins is the only Derby player to have reached double figures this season and had featured in every league game prior to his injury, showing how important he has been to their promotion push.
His 13 goals so far this season are five more than the next top scorer, Mendez-Laing, and he has averaged a goal every 173 minutes in League One this season (Sofascore).
The Rams are not helped by the lack of available alternatives up front, with Conor Washington, Martyn Waghorn and Tyreece John-Jules all out with their own injuries.
Derby were forced to play winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing up-front during their 1-0 victory over Stevenage at the weekend, and that is why a move has been made for Gayle.
Gayle has joined Derby on a free transfer after he left Stoke City late on transfer deadline day – a move which allowed the ex-Newcastle United man to explore his options after the window closed.
The striker brings plenty of experience in the EFL and the Premier League, having made a combined 290 Premier League and Championship appearances.
Gayle has shown ability in front of goal in the Championship previously, scoring 13 goals in 29 appearances for Peterborough during the 2012-13 season, 23 in 32 for Newcastle as they were promoted from the Championship and then 24 in 40 on loan at West Bromwich Albion (stats provided by Fotmob).
However, now aged 34, Gayle has struggled in recent years, scoring just 5 in 51 appearances back at Newcastle in all competitions, and then hitting the back of the net just three times in 50 matches for Stoke City prior to his departure.
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