Derby County will now be preparing for life in League One for next season.

The Rams suffered relegation from the Championship, finishing 23rd in the table and seven points adrift of Reading.

It has been a difficult year for the club, but with a new owner on the horizon there is optimism that there is now light at the end of the tunnel at Pride Park.

One positive aspect from the campaign was how well youngsters were integrated into Wayne Rooney’s side.

But with the likes of Malcolm Ebiowei and Festy Ebosele nearing exits from the club, more youngsters could yet be given a chance to shine in the third division next season.

Here are two Derby players to watch out for next term…

Louie Watson

The Irishman made his second league start for the club at the start of the campaign, playing in a 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town.

But his next two starts didn’t come until April, when he featured against Bristol City and Blackpool.

Rooney recently spoke about the 20-year old’s performances, and hinted at a move to the centre of the pitch as a long-term plan for what to expect from Watson in the future.

"Players like Louie Watson, who hasn't had much football for us this season, we learned a lot from that game positional wise,” said the Derby boss, via Derbyshire Live.

"I thought he was excellent when he went into midfield. When he played off the sides he didn't have the impact we felt he could have.

“These are small things I am looking at to try and figure out decisions I make for next season."

It is likely that he could grow in importance with the Rams next season in League One.

Bartosz Marcin Cybulski

The Polish striker earned his debut in February, coming off the bench in the closing stages of the team’s victory over Peterborough United.

Two more cameo appearances arrived later in the season in April, when he featured for 13 across games against Swansea City and QPR.

The 19-year old’s first start arrived in the team’s 3-1 loss to Bristol City, in which he completed 58 minutes.

The player has yet to fully prove himself at senior level, but with options so limited in the squad currently, he could find himself earning plenty of playing time in the third tier next season.

Rooney has been known to afford young players good opportunities in the side, and perhaps these final few appearances this campaign are a sign of things to come.