Derby County have returned to pre-season with a significantly different squad from the one that secured promotion in April. With over a month and a half remaining in the transfer window, there is ample time for further changes.

The Rams have already parted ways with seven of their promotion-winning heroes, with Louie Sibley being the most recent departure, having moved to Oxford United at the end of his contract.

In terms of new arrivals, Derby have secured the permanent signings of Kayden Jackson and Ben Osborn, while Jerry Yates has joined on loan from Swansea City.

As the transfer window progresses, additional signings are expected, which could make it increasingly difficult for players lower down the pecking order to find game time.

With pre-season in full swing and Derby’s squad beginning to take shape, it is likely that some players may be shown the exit door, either permanently or temporarily. One such player is Tyrese Fornah.

Fornah has struggled to cement a regular place in Paul Warne’s team since his arrival. A loan move could provide him with the opportunity to gain valuable playing time and prove his worth, especially if Derby secure further midfield reinforcements.

Tyrese Fornah

Since transferring from the red side of the East Midlands to the black-and-white last summer, 24-year-old Tyrese Fornah has found it challenging to secure a regular spot in Paul Warne’s lineup at Derby County.

The Sierra Leone international managed just nine starts from 19 league appearances in the 2023/24 season, with injuries and inconsistent form sidelining him for much of the year. After the new year, Fornah appeared in only four matches, and he will need to impress in the upcoming friendlies to have a chance of remaining with Derby through this transfer window.

The situation worsened for Fornah with the January loan arrival of 28-year-old Ebou Adams from Cardiff City. Adams’ stellar performances solidified his role as the defensive midfielder, contributing significantly to Derby’s promotion to the Championship after just two seasons in League One.

Given these circumstances, a loan move for Fornah might be the best solution for both him and Derby, particularly if they re-sign Adams. Fornah’s tackle success rate of just 47.1% pales in comparison to Adams’ impressive 66%, highlighting the gap in performance.

A return to League One could be an ideal opportunity for Fornah to demonstrate his potential and prove to Warne that he can be a vital part of the team. With his contract set to expire in 2025, a successful loan spell might also pave the way for a new deal.

Conor Washington

Conor Washington, 32, left Rotherham United to reunite with his former manager, Paul Warne, at Derby County last July on a two-year contract.

Unfortunately, much like Tyrese Fornah, the English-born Northern Ireland striker endured a season plagued by injuries in 2023/24. When fit, he struggled to displace James Collins from the starting lineup.

Washington made 19 appearances in League One for Derby, starting in eight of those games. He managed to score just three goals and provide two assists, all of which came before he suffered an ankle injury while on international duty in November 2023.

The 32-year-old forward demonstrated clinical finishing by scoring three goals from an xG rate of only 1.28. However, at times he lacked the cutting edge displayed by James Collins and Dwight Gayle in their performances.

With the emergence of Dajaune Brown over the past year, the forward may find it difficult to secure his place as the third-choice striker. At this stage of his career, he will want to play consistent football. A move down the leagues, potentially to League Two, might be the best opportunity for the former Miller to achieve double figures in both appearances and goals in the upcoming season.