Derby County player has "rolled back the years" - John Eustace & co should bow to his demands | OneFootball

Craig Forsyth's contract is due to expire in the summer, and at 36 time is running out on his career, but he has been exceptional this season.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Derby County's chances of staying in the Championship grew this week, as they held Burnley to a 0-0 draw at Pride Park, while results around them went their way for the most part.

The Rams came ever so close to taking all three points on Tuesday evening against the side who sat at the top of the table heading into the clash, but Matt Clarke was unable to direct his header into the back of the net, with Jerry Yates waiting behind him in a better position.

Nevertheless, it was a vital point for John Eustace's side, who have been revolutionised over the course of the last month, and they head into this weekend's match against Portsmouth full of confidence after losing just one of their last six.

It will be a tough test for Derby, with Pompey strong at Fratton Park. But a continuation of recent performances could see them to victory, and one particular fan favourite may be on hand at either end to have a say, with his contract situation yet to be sorted.

Verdict made on Craig Forsyth's future at Derby

At 36, many may have expected Craig Forsyth to have found the step-up back to the Championship tough, but he has once again proven that age is just a number and he looks at home in the Rams' defence.

Operating at both centre-back and at left wing-back, the ex-Scotland international has been one of his side's players of the season, and Eustace has been able to rely on him in the same way that countless managers have done before.

Football League World has asked their Derby Fan Pundit, Shaun Woodward, if the defender should be offered an extension on his deal, with his contract set to expire in the summer.

He told FLW: "If Forsyth wants another year, give him another year - do whatever he wants.

"If he wants to hang up his boots and go into coaching, then we should support him with that. But if he wants another year, give it to him. He has been unbelievable this season and he is so calm.

"He's rolled back the years and his performances have been nothing short of amazing. Whether he's played centre-back, left wing-back or left-back, he's just done the job we've asked of him. He does not let anyone down."

Shaun continued: "He just gets what it means to play for this club. He's got a rapport with the fans and I think you can say he is Mr Derby County, and he deserves whatever he wants.

"So, if he wants another year, I think we have to give it to him as a no-brainer. The guy is an absolute legend and it's just a testament to his professionalism how he's been able to come back from the injuries he's had over the years to keep putting in these types of performances.

"He's fought off a dozen left-backs in his time and he just keeps coming back, he wants it. He's the ultimate pro and we should give him another year."

Forsyth has earned a new deal at Derby

Since joining the Rams in 2013, originally on loan from Watford, Forsyth has been a mainstay in the team, with only injuries restricting his progression.

The full-back, turned centre-back, has adapted over the years, and while he is not the quickest of players, he has an extremely high footballing IQ and very rarely finds himself out of position against some of the Championship's very best attackers.

ACL injuries have been the bane of Forsyth's career, but he has looked after his body incredibly over the last few years, and it is not very often that he finds himself unavailable to feature for Derby.

The Rams must hand the veteran defender a one-year extension at the end of this season if he is happy to take it, and his experience could be vital for his team whether they find themselves in the Championship or League One.