Peter Grant has backed Robert Earnshaw to hit the goal trail - as long as he receives the proper service. Earnshaw's future is unclear, with rumours mounting that he may be on his way out of Derby County before tonight's transfer deadline passes - less than two months after they bought him from Norwich for a bargain £3.5m.

Peter Grant has backed Robert Earnshaw to hit the goal trail - as long as he receives the proper service.

Earnshaw's future is unclear, with rumours mounting that he may be on his way out of Derby County before tonight's transfer deadline passes - less than two months after they bought him from Norwich for a bargain £3.5m.

The Welsh striker (pictured below) - who has yet to score in five appearances for the struggling Rams - had a buy-out clause in his contract which allowed him to make a cut-price return to the Premiership, although the rumours suggest he will be back in the second tier again, this time with Charlton.

However, Grant is clearly unperturbed by the prospect.

"It doesn't concern us now," he said. "Earnie wanted to play in the Premier League. He got an opportunity to do that, but to play Earnie constantly you have to know you have to create chances for him.

"It is no use saying Earnie isn't scoring goals - if you don't create chances for him he is not going to score goals.

"I think when you look at strikers you have to make sure of the full picture - there's no doubt if you create chances for Earnshaw he will score. If you are not creating chances, it is very difficult for a striker."