The Covid-19 virus has impacted Europe on a grand scale and Derby County are among several football clubs who are now left waiting and wondering.
The Championship has been suspended, with a return date set for early April.
But that now appears incredibly optimistic. Contingency plans and proposals are seemingly in the pipework, and any decision won’t be made lightly.
Player contracts pose a potential headache, with June 30 the official expiration date.
If the season is suspended beyond that date, or cancelled altogether, some Derby players may have already played their last game for the Rams.
(Photo by Mick Walker – CameraSport via Getty Images).
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Ikechi Anya:
Anya arrived for £4 million in 2016 on a four-year-deal from Watford.
The Scotland international hasn’t featured for the first-team in over 18 months. He made just 19 Championship starts in his first two seasons at the club.
Derby will release Anya this summer.
Craig Forsyth:
Forsyth’s contract expires this summer. After three ACL injuries, the former Watford man has returned to first-team duties and deserves plenty of respect.
The Scot is capable of playing at both left-back and in the middle.
However, being 31, Derby may opt to let him go. Max Lowe and Scott Malone are left-back options, while the Rams will surely buy more centre-backs this summer.
Tom Huddlestone:
The former Derby academy star is in his second spell at the club.
Huddlestone started the campaign as a regular under Phillip Cocu. However, an injury back in October kept him out of action for up to three months.
In his absence, Max Bird has emerged as a regular. Wayne Rooney, Graeme Shinnie and George Evans are also midfield options.
Krystian Bielik will also come back into the fold once recovering from his ACL injury.
Huddlestone is now becoming surplus to requirements at Pride Park.
Also see: Report: Club reject six-figure bid for Derby target from Championship rivals
Also see: DCN view: Season delay further incentive for Derby to sign new deal for international