Derby have confirmed they have enquired about Ipswich striker Jon Stead.

The Rams' strikeforce has been decimated by injury this season. Steve Davies and Chris Porter are long-term absentees while James Vaughan, on loan from Everton, recently returned to Goodison Park for treatment on a knee injury that will keep him out until the end of November.

Stead, 26, scored three goals in 17 appearances during a three-month loan spell at Derby in 2006.

Ipswich manager Roy Keane stated on Monday that he was unaware of any contact from the Rams regarding Stead.

But Derby boss Nigel Clough said: "Jon Stead is a player that we have asked about. However, I don't think that there will be any movement in this direction at the moment."