If these three things come to fruition over the summer, Derby County will be heading into the Championship in great shape
Derby County will already be preparing themselves for a return to the Championship, with the Rams returning to the second tier after two seasons in League One.
stopper proving himself to be one of the best between the sticks outside of the Premier League.
| Derby County’s expiring contracts this summer | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Louie Sibley | |||
| Joe Wildsmith | |||
| Tom Barkhuizen (one-year option) | |||
| Liam Thompson | |||
| Dwight Gayle | |||
| Conor Hourihane | |||
| Korey Smith | |||
| James Collins | |||
| Craig Forsyth | |||
| Martyn Waghorn | |||
| Darren Robinson | |||
| Scott Loach | |||
| Source: Transfermarkt | |||
Although Warne has emphasised the need for younger, fresh legs in the summer, the experience that the likes of Collins or Hourihane can offer would be invaluable in their return to the second tier, with both players having been around the block enough times to stand their ground at Championship level.
owe them so much.
“First of all I’m going to enjoy my summer! I don’t know where I’m going to be. I’ll enjoy my summer first and foremost and then we’ll see where we’re at, but I’ve enjoyed every single minute of it and thank you so much for having me here.”
As he enters the last year of his contract at the Cardiff City Stadium, both player and club may be open to a move elsewhere, and with County eager to take him off their hands it could be a deal to suit all parties.
Sign a striker: Alfie May, Macaulay Langstaff
With a number of forward players potentially leaving the club this summer, Warne will be looking to add some fresh faces into his attacking line ahead of the new season.
The likes of Collins, Barkhuizen, Martyn Waghorn and Dwight Gayle all face an uncertain future at the club as it stands, with the quartet all set to be out of contract in the coming weeks, while Tyreece John-Jules has returned to parent club Arsenal.
That leaves a gaping hole in the striking department for the Rams, and the Championship new boys will be looking to add one or two goal-getting stars to help their cause in their new surroundings.
County have been known to have interest in Macaulay Langstaff of Notts County in the past, with the 27-year-old netting 70 league goals in the past two seasons in the National League and League Two.
It would be no surprise to see Warne renew his interest in the forward, while Charlton Athletic’s Alfie May has been a player to catch his eye in the past.
Neither player has played as high as the Championship in the past, but the goalposts never move, and to have a player who can find the net on a regular basis would make all the difference for the season ahead.
- GET MORE NEWS HERE