Derby County’s second season back in the Championship is going incredibly well, with the club moving in the right direction in the league standings only four years after exiting administration.

David Clowes’ work as owner has been properly praised by fans over the last few seasons, and after an extraordinarily successful January transfer window, there is plenty of optimism at Pride Park.

John Eustace’s first year in charge of the Rams has gone as well as he could have imagined, rescuing the team from relegation in 2024/25 and propelling them to the top of the table in his first full season as head coach in DE24. A play-off finish is now a realistic goal for those affiliated with the East Midlands club.

However, as the season nears its end, those with expiring contracts have little time to secure a future at the club, and Football League World has looked at the four Derby players whose contracts are set to expire this summer.

Calum Elder

Callum Elder has suffered from injuries throughout his stay at Pride Park. However, this season, the left wing-back has been outstanding for the Rams, and he has had a significant impact on the team’s offensive prowess from wide.

Derby’s performances frequently match those of the Australian, and he has been an important piece for Eustace over the last several months, with Owen Beck’s injury depriving him a chance in black and white, while Craig Forsyth has taken a backseat this season owing to age.

Elder signed a three-year deal with the Rams after joining from Hull City in the summer of 2023, but he has yet to sign a new contract and could depart for free at the end of the season.

Danny Batth

Danny Batth only joined Derby in the summer, as Eustace looked to his former club Blackburn Rovers for players he trusted, but his time there could be limited.

The veteran centre-back signed a one-year contract with the Rams, and the 46-year-old has used him little in 2025/26 due to excellent performances from Matt Clarke, Sondre Langas, and Dion Sanderson.

Nonetheless, when called upon, his performances have been relatively strong, and his expertise has proven invaluable to his side at times.

There is no guarantee that Batth will be given a new contract before the summer, but he might still be a valuable asset off the bench.

Joe Ward

Joe Ward has been Derby’s surprise star this season, and with Max Johnston out with an injury, the 30-year-old has taken over as Eustace’s starting right wing-back.

Few players have a better delivery into the box than the former Peterborough United player, nicknamed ‘Becks’ by his teammates. As a result, it would not be surprising to see the defender sign a new contract in the coming weeks.

Ward joined the Rams in 2023, and, like Elder, he has had numerous injury difficulties. However, he has kept his fitness throughout the season, and he will be hoping to add more outings to his name in black-and-white as his three-year deal nears its end.

Richard O’Donnell

Goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell is the fourth and final Derby player out of contract this summer, with the 37-year-old likely to feature more in the Championship than he expected this season.

He preserved a clean sheet in a commanding 5-0 win over Bristol City in January, while Jacob Widell Zetterstrom was unavailable due to illness and second-choice goalkeeper Josh Vickers was injured.

O’Donnell signed a one-year contract with the Rams prior to the 2025/26 season, and his performance warrants an extension.