Saturday's East Midlands derby draw at Pride Park was followed by the Reds boss confirming the need for his squad to be bolstered by 'four or five' new signings with the transfer window set to close in just over a week's time.
First on the list appears to be Birmingham City winger Chris Burke as the West Midlands club plan a cull of their big-earners to help with a financial crisis.
That news has also led to Marlon King being linked with a return to the City Ground while Peterborough United continue to talk up a Reds approach for George Boyd.
Burke, however, appears to be a much more feasible target having played under McLeish at Rangers and having signed for Birmingham just before his fellow Scot left to take over at Aston Villa.