The 3 Derby County players who surely want to escape Pride Park from June | OneFootball

Football League World takes a look at three Rams who may seek an exit in the summer.

Derby County are in the midst of an incredibly exciting relegation scrap in the Championship, and after all hope had once looked lost, three successive wins has put them into an excellent position heading into the final eight games of the season.

John Eustace helped inspire his new side to nine points in seven days before the international break, and what had once looked like a near-certain return to League One, has turned into a new-found belief that the club can stay in the second tier.

The Rams have struggled with injuries throughout 2024/25, and their problems have been exacerbated in the last month, with the likes of Lars-Jorgen Salvesen, Kemar Roofe and Ben Osborn all finding themselves in the treatment room.

Nevertheless, Derby are finding inspiration on the pitch one way or another, and they have a genuine chance of staying in the Championship. However, as is always the case at this time of year, players will already be looking at their futures and Football League World has picked out three members of Eustace's squad who could be seeking a Pride Park exit in the summer.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing

It's been an incredibly tough season for Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, and after coming off the back of a terrific year with the Rams in League One, many expected and hoped the winger to pick up where he left off.

However, with just two goals and four assists to his name in the Championship in 2024/25, this campaign has been one to forget for the Guatemala international.

After captaining the team under Paul Warne and being handed the armband for Eustace's first game in charge, it looks as though he has now lost his role with Ebou Adams leading Derby out over the course of the last five matches.

He picked up a knock following a 1-0 defeat to Millwall in February, and he has not featured in his side's last four matches, but he has been called up to his national team, causing some confusion.

At 32, it is clear to Mendez-Laing is starting to struggle, and he may seek a return to League One in the summer with another club if Derby stay in the Championship to allow him to stay more competitive on a consistent basis.

Josh Vickers

Josh Vickers started the season as the Rams' number one goalkeeper as Jacob Widell Zetterstrom's £1.4m move from Djurgardens was held up by the Swedish club's progression in Europe.

However, since a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough in the second game of the campaign, the ex-Rotherham United shot-stopper has been forced to watch on from the sidelines as the club's second-choice keeper.

The 29-year-old has proven himself to be a steady pair of hands when called upon, but with it likely that he will spend 2025/26 on the bench once again, he must surely be seeking an exit in the summer so that he is given the opportunity to play football on a weekly basis.

Vickers still has a year left on his contract at Derby, and they would have to bring a replacement in if he was to leave, but for the sake of his own career, surely the time has come for the Arsenal academy graduate to move on from Pride Park.

Conor Washington

Conor Washington is a forgotten man in DE24, and having not made a single appearance for the senior team this season, his future at the club already looks to be decided.

The 32-year-old is out of contract in the summer, and that will be extremely pleasing for all parties, with the striker not even in the 25-player squad.

Washington's time in black-and-white has been frustrating for all involved, with injuries, poor form and a real lack of opportunities meaning that there is going to be only one outcome for the former QPR forward in the summer.

Derby need to move on players who are taking up space on the wage bill and not having an impact on the pitch, and that starts with their number 14, who must already be looking at teams in League One and League Two for a new home.