Derby County are close to completing a deal taking David Nugent from Middlesbrough for around £2.5million.
Steve McClaren has been frustrated in his efforts to recall Chris Martin from his season-long loan at Fulham, with the London club refusing to agree an early termination, and has sanctioned the move for an alternative striker.
Nugent has played just 40 minutes of Premier League football under Aitor Karanka this season and his solitary goal came on his only start in the League Cup defeat at Fulham.
Karanka has preferred Alvaro Negredo in the lone striker role but has signed Rudy Gestede to provide back-up and Nugent is determined to get games.