Derby County are well placed to win promotion to the Championship and Paul Warne has several players able to make the step up.
Derby County moved a step closer to clinching automatic promotion out of League One on Saturday. A 1-0 victory against Bolton Wanderers, thanks to a Kane Wilson winner from the bench, propelled the Rams four points clear of their third-place rivals.
With seven games left to go, it is too soon to start planning for next season, but if Paul Warne’s men do hold on to second place and win promotion, multiple players can flourish in the second tier.
Here are the three most likely to take the Championship by storm…
Eiran Cashin
A product of Derby County’s academy, Eiran Cashin has attracted interest from Premier League side Brighton after showcasing his talent in League One.
READ MORE: Derby County star Eiran Cashin’s journey from almost released to Premier League transfer interest
Last summer, the Seagulls tried to sign him on deadline day but didn’t get the paperwork done in time to secure a move.
The 22-year-old instead remained at Pride Park, signed a new contract in February and has been an integral part of their promotion push.
Many expect the ball-playing defender, who has starred alongside Curtis Nelson, to depart in the summer after impressing once more.
However, if Derby keep hold of their “outstanding” centre-back, he looks ready to showcase his talent in the Championship and watch his value skyrocket even further.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing
A former Premier League winger with Cardiff City, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has flourished at Championship level previously, scoring 13 goals and supplying 14 assists in 95 appearances.
The 31-year-old signed for Derby on a free transfer in 2022 and has been a key player for the Rams ever since.
Warne has even said that if they lose their star winger through injury, they are in big trouble having watched him break records this term.
The “magic” Mendez-Laing has created the most big chances in League One (18) and recorded the most assists (15).
Those statistics alone suggest that he’s too good for the third tier and if his side secures promotion this term, he’ll be a pivotal figure in the Championship.
James Collins
Much like Mendez-Laing, James Collins starred in the second tier previously with Luton Town and reached double figures for goals twice (14 – 2019/20) and (10 – 2020/21).
Collins then only managed three goals in 26 appearances for Cardiff before joining Derby in the summer of 2022.
Although currently injured till the start of April, the 33-year-old did play a huge part in their promotion charge by cementing his place at the summit of the scoring charts.
The Irishman’s 18 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions suggests he could still step up to the second tier and score goals.