"You'd be surprised" - Exclusive: Don Goodman makes Derby County prediction involving Kane Wilson | OneFootball

Kane Wilson's contract is due to expire in the summer, but the Rams must keep hold of him.

Don Goodman has weighed in on Kane Wilson's future at Derby County, with the right-back's contract due to expire at the end of this season.

The 25-year-old was signed on a two-year deal ahead of the 2023/24 campaign from Bristol City, and he made a strong impact in League One, with his ability to beat a player and put in a cross, consistently getting supporters out of their seats at Pride Park.

He has continued that form into the Championship, and while he was scuppered by an injury in winter, he has returned to John Eustace's team with the same level of positivity that he left Paul Warne's with.

Wilson has been crucial to Derby's chances of survival, but with his contract due to expire in the summer, there will be fears that these next few weeks will be his last in black-and-white.

Goodman gives verdict on Wilson's future at Derby

It's been a fantastic couple of years for the defender, and with injuries to Joe Ward and Ryan Nyambe, he does not have any competition for his position at this moment in time.

However, the threat of relegation will be playing on his mind and this is perhaps the reason why he has not put pen-to-paper on a new deal, despite Eustace detailing how much he wants Wilson to be part of his squad for 2025/26.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Don Goodman has told Derby to get the 25-year-old a new contract before his current one runs out.

He told FLW: "Kane Wilson is in his prime, it's fair to say, at the age of 25.

"He wasn't really getting a look in earlier in the season on a regular basis, he's become much more of a permanent fixture since John Eustace has gone into the building."

Goodman continued: "He is still looking to achieve his Forest Green Rovers numbers where he had that amazing season when they won the league under Rob Edwards.

"Obviously, it's a much higher level, it's a harder level, but it seems to me that Eustace likes what he sees of him and with that in mind, you'd be surprised if Derby weren't looking to renew his contract."

Wilson is not the only contract situation that Eustace has to sort

The Rams have several players out of contract in the summer, and this off-season will see huge changes at Pride Park as Eustace looks to imprint his own mark on the team.

12 players are set to leave Derby at this moment in time, with Wilson, Liam Thompson and Matt Clarke perhaps the three most profile, while club icon Craig Forsyth is also in the final months of his deal.

Eustace knows that many of this current squad will leave, and they must after a difficult year in the Championship. Whether survival is secured or not, the Rams have to have a clear out and bring in fresh ideas on the pitch.

Nevertheless, Wilson must be handed a new contract, and he could be an incredibly important player in the East Midlands in the years to come.