Transfer news: Championship clubs Derby and Cardiff contact Chesterfield about Eoin Doyle

Derby County and Cardiff City have contacted Chesterfield about signing in-form striker Eoin Doyle this month, Sky sources understand.

The 26-year-old Irishman has been prolific during the Spireites’ return season in League One, scoring 21 goals in 26 appearances in all competitions.

Sky Sports understands as many as nine clubs are looking at the player, but Chesterfield are reluctant to sell Doyle and it would take a substantial offer to tempt the club into negotiations.

Chesterfield value Doyle between £1m and £2m – and he has 18 months left on his current contract.

The Derbyshire club would be at pains to lose a player who has scored 34 goals since joining from Hibernian in 2013 but, with a list of transfer targets of their own, they believe they would be in a strong position to replace him.

Chesterfield have signed just one player so far in the January transfer window; a month-long loan deal for Sheffield Wednesday’s teenage forward Emmanuel Dieseruvwe.

But they could yet add more players in the current window as they continue to strengthen their position in League One. The club are seventh – a point off the play-off places but 16 points short of the top-three.