Derby County are hoping to return to the Premier League this season, with the Rams in a tight struggle for one of the play-off berths with only a few games left.

Derby County have had a successful year at Pride Park, progressing from relegation candidates last season to play-off contenders this season under John Eustace.

Indeed, since Eustace took over from Paul Warne in February 2025, the Rams have been on a near-constant upward trajectory, with the former Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers manager rescuing them from relegation to League One and possibly leading them to the Premier League in just over 12 months.

Eustace was given complete control over moves in the summer, with Derby allowing him to oversee a major summer rebuild, demonstrating their trust in their management; it has paid off.

Patrick Agyemang, Bobby Clark, Dion Sanderson, and Joe Ward were all signed by Eustace and have all been excellent acquisitions, as has Crystal Palace loanee David Ozoh, who returned to the Rams in the summer after spending the previous season on loan at Pride Park.

Ozoh has shown glimpses of his great skill in the Championship and appears poised to return to Selhurst Park in the summer, with Derby’s hopes of signing the midfielder for a third time reliant on one condition.

Derby County must secure Premier League promotion to improve their ambitions of a permanent David Ozoh acquisition.

When fit, Ozoh has been one of Derby’s first names on the team sheet this season. Unfortunately for him, he has had to deal with a variety of injuries both this season and last.

Ozoh’s 2024/25 season was beset by hamstring, quad, and thigh ailments, restricting him to just ten league games, but Eustace chose to authorize his return this summer.

That decision appears to have paid off, as, while the midfielder has fought with thigh problems again this season, his minutes have been more consistent, as he attempts to shake off his injury woes and leave them behind.

His recent performance against Stoke City exemplified exactly what he is about as a player, with his physical presence and technical talent dominating the midfield and allowing the Rams to control the game on their path to three points.

Ozoh spoke to the club’s media staff about his departure from Pride Park ahead of their match against fellow play-off contenders Southampton, saying: “Of course, I do think about it. It’s not a good feeling to realize that my time here is coming to an end; I’ve enjoyed it. The experience has been excellent.I’ve appreciated the personnel, the players, the spectators, and everyone. It’s been an excellent experience.”

It is fair to say that, in an ideal world, a third term at Derby, this time permanently, would be the greatest conclusion for practically everyone concerned, yet Crystal Palace’s opinion on the midfielder is currently unknown.

Ozoh has certainly impressed during his time with the Rams and would be open to a permanent swap, as would the club, but if they stay in the Championship and fail out on promotion, their chances of re-signing him permanently in the summer grow more difficult.

Promotion to the Premier League is critical to a prospective return of Ozoh, and Derby will do everything they can to bring top-flight football back to Pride Park next season.

In light of David Ozoh’s future, John Eustace will focus on the play-offs, as promotion to the Premier League is Derby’s ultimate goal.

With only a few games remaining in the season, Derby and Eustace are clearly aiming for the play-offs.

A sluggish start to the season, with only one win in their first 10 games, has hampered their league standings and forced them to play catch-up for the most of the season.

However, a top-six finish remains a distinct possibility for Derby, who will do everything they can to achieve it.

It remains to be seen if they will be able to accomplish it, but if they want to see Ozoh play in the Derby again next year, promotion is very necessary.