Town boss Mick McCarthy says it’s currently “nigh on impossible” for the likes of new re-signing Noel Hunt to dislodge 17-goal Championship top scorer Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick from his side.
Hunt rejoined the Blues on a contract until June on Thursday having left Leeds United a day earlier.
McCarthy says he's happy with Hunt, Conor Sammon, who is unavailable against the Rams today, and summer signing Balint Bajner as his alternative frontmen, but believes they have a tough task getting into his team given Murphy and McGoldrick’s form.
"The two lads who are playing, it’s nigh on impossible for anyone to get in the team at the moment and we want to keep it that way,” he said.
"We want to keep them fit, we want to keep them free from suspension and anything else which might leave them out. What we need is back-up and I’ve got good back-up with the other lads.”
McCarthy is pleased to have Hunt back at the club, the Irishman having briefly returned to Leeds following the completion of his one-month loan after the 3-0 victory over Charlton.
"Hunty needed to go and sort himself out at Leeds,” he added. "I think he was disappointed when I sent him packing, but there was nothing I could do, he had to go and sort out his own situation there.
"He’s done that, he’s had his contract cancelled, he was free to go elsewhere, so I was more than happy to take him.”
The Town boss has also secured Darren Ambrose on a contract to the end of the season and believes the 30-year-old could feature in a variety of roles: "He’s a goal threat from either side. He played on the left for a long time, drifting in on his favoured right foot.
"He played on the left on Sunday and played well against Southampton, and I still have a real fancy for him playing in behind a striker because technically he’s very good.”