Derby County will be planning for their return to the Championship and must sign an ‘unbelievable’ upgrade on the long-serving Craig Forsyth.
Two years after their relegation, Derby are back in the Championship.
A 2-0 victory over Carlisle United sealed their destiny on Saturday, prompting jubilant celebrations on the pitch at full-time.
Paul Warne will begin plans for next season and with 12 players contracts set to expire, it’s expected to be a busy summer at Pride Park.
The Rams could wave goodbye to several individuals, including left-back Craig Forsyth, who has been a great servant to the football club.
Craig Forsyth’s contract situation
Derby captured Forsyth for a reported £150,000 from Watford in July 2013.
The veteran Scotsman has racked up 340 appearances in black and white with 10 goals and 29 assists to his name, as per Transfermarkt.
A dependable player and a fan favourite at Pride Park due to his longevity and wand of a left foot, it will be a sad day once Forsyth departs the club, and that could be this summer.
The 35-year-old sees his contract expire in June and upon stepping up to the Championship, his wages could be put to better use by upgrading him.
Indeed, it doesn’t seem viable to hand the veteran a contract, even short-term, as his injury troubles, age and playing in the second tier point against keeping him around.
Derby County should sign Harrison Burrows as a Craig Forsyth upgrade
Harrison Burrows will attract lots of interest this summer following his remarkable season at Peterborough United.
The 22-year-old has been converted from a winger into an attacking left-back this term but that hasn’t stopped him from wreaking havoc in the final third, producing six goals and 14 assists in League One.
Only Derby hotshot Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has supplied more assists (16) than Burrows in the third tier, with Darren Ferguson hailing his “unbelievable” impact down the left.
Peterborough turned down a bid from an unnamed Championship club in January for the youngster and with his contract expiring in June, interest in the Englishman will only heighten.
To produce such absurd numbers from left-back, including a goal and an assist against Derby, should prompt the Rams to snap him up.
He would fit perfectly into their interchanging system having demonstrated he can play in a four-man defence or as a wing-back.
Burrows would also challenge current starter Louie Sibley for a place in the starting XI, giving Derby two solid left-sided options to enter the Championship with.
Of course, with most of the second tier eyeing a bargain, it will be difficult for the Rams to persuade him to join, but he’s certainly a player they should be looking at as a long-term Forsyth replacement.
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