The Derby County players likely to leave in two months time | OneFootball

The Rams have made an impressive start to the campaign, but there are a number of players who could find themselves on the way out in January.

There can be no denying that Derby County have returned to the Championship in a solid fashion, and Paul Warne's side have enjoyed a steady opening few months of the season.

While supporters may have hoped for some more free-flowing football, wins against Bristol City, Coventry City and Middlesbrough have been huge in showing that the Rams were more than ready to come back to the second tier.

However, there are changes that need to be made at Pride Park in the coming months, and the January transfer window offers Warne the chance to improve his squad further, despite a very busy summer window.

Nevertheless, outgoings could be the order of the day for Derby this winter, as they look to make space in their roster to allow more quality to come in and help the team challenge those in the top 10.

Football League World has taken a look at four Rams players who could be on their way out of DE24 in January either permanently or on loan.

Conor Washington

2024/25 has just not been the season that Conor Washington had possibly imagined heading into it, and he has found his game-time severely lacking throughout the first three months of the campaign.

Incredibly experience at League One level, the step-up to the Championship has not been one that Warne has trusted the 32-year-old with, as he had been limited to unused substitute appearances throughout.

The rise of Dajaune Brown, and the performance levels of Jerry Yates in recent weeks have meant that the striker is way down the pecking order at Derby, and it seems unlikely that this will change anytime soon.

A move back to the third tier could be the perfect opportunity for the Northern Ireland international to get his career back on track. His current contract is due to expire in the summer, and securing a move sooner rather than later should be seen as a must for Washington.

Tom Barkhuizen

Similar to Washington, Tom Barkhuizen has had difficulties trying to maintain consistent minutes on the pitch, and he has been severely limited in his game-time since the Rams won promotion back to the Championship.

The very first signing of the David Clowes era, there is no denying the impact that the former Preston North End man had during his first two years in the East Midlands, but he has been pushed down the pecking order this season.

The 31-year-old appeared in the Rams' first four games in the second tier, starting on the opening weekend against Blackburn Rovers, but a calf injury has seen him miss all but the last few weeks.

Barkhuizen's future seems to lie away from Pride Park, and just like Washington, it seems inevitable that he will leave the club sooner rather than later, but he is more than capable of performing in League One after scoring six goals and registering six assists last time out.

Lennon Wheeldon

Another cog in the Moor Farm machine, Lennon Wheeldon, looks to be the most exciting prospect coming out of Derby at the moment, with the striker a serious threat in the Premier League 2.

At just 18, the future is incredibly bright for the academy prospect who is getting closer and closer to his first taste of the bench in the Championship for the senior team in the coming months. However, a loan move in January could be the perfect way to get him ready for next season.

The Rams and National League side Gateshead have a very good relationship at the moment after the second tier side sent Brown on loan to the north-east in 2023/24, while Ben Radcliffe has had a fantastic first few months with the Heed.

Wheeldon's performances for the U21s have warranted a move up to the senior game, and although Derby themselves may not be able to offer that currently, Gateshead would be more than welcome to another loanee from Moor Farm in January.

Darren Robinson

Darren Robinson started the season out on loan at Hartlepool in the National League, but a lack of minutes saw him return to his parent club at the end of October.

The defensive midfielder's contract is set to run until the summer of 2026, and there is a lot of excitement surrounding his future, but finding the next loan move will be a difficult one - however, it is a decision that must be made.

There is not an opportunity for Robinson to make the first-team squad at Derby currently, and he does need consistent game-time in senior football to ensure he develops at the rate that is expected of him after solid showings throughout the academy groups.

Just like Wheeldon, Gateshead may come knocking in January, and their success with Rams loanees could put them ahead of any other rivals who target the 19-year-old Northern Irishman.

There is an incredibly bright future ahead for many at Moor Farm, but with his senior contract extended for two years in the summer, it is obvious that Warne sees him as a player who could have an impact soon, and he needs to show why the 51-year-old has that belief in him.