Former Derby County midfielder Tom Huddlestone has congratulated the Rams on their survival on Twitter while adding he hopes to be back playing again next season.
The holding midfielder left Derby at the end of his contract last summer.
Huddlestone was an important figure for the Rams during the 2017-18 campaign, but he found first-team opportunities hard to come by the following two years.
His quality is evident, yet he has spent the past season without a club.
Taking to Twitter after Derby’s 3-3 draw with Sheffield Wednesday, Huddlestone offered his congratulations while sharing his hopes of finding a new club this summer.
Huddlestone, 34, still has plenty to offer providing he maintains his fitness.
The former four-capped England international has excellent vision and range of passing, while he excelled when sitting in a deep midfield role and dictating the play.
Huddlestone may have to drop down into League One to secure a new club.
Derby, meanwhile, lacked a player of his quality over the past 12 months, while there is hope midfielder Max Bird could develop into a similar mould with comparable attributes.
The Rams have a busy summer ahead while a rebuild must take place at Pride Park.
Several more players are out of contract at Derby and manager Wayne Rooney has called on the club to get everything in order so plans for next season can start immediately.
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