Derby midfielder, Craig Bryson has been the subject of a pre-contract offer from his former side, Kilmarnock according to The Express. 

The Scotsman's contract is due to expire at the end of the season, and his potential departure is sure to be met with a mixed reaction from the Derby supporters.

The 32-year-old has made 246 appearances across a seven-year-spell with the Rams and he'll be hoping to have his long-term future resolved at the earliest of opportunities.

Bryson has been a crucial member of the Rams side in recent years, but hasn't been a consistent starter under Frank Lampard in this year's league campaign.

He has made 21 starts, but will surely be frustrated not to have been handed more regular game time as Derby mount a strong challenge for the play-off places.

We look at the reasons why Derby would be making a mistake in letting Bryson leave in the summer.

His experience is crucial to this Derby team 

Frank Lampard has a relatively young squad this season, but he also will be reliant on the more experienced members of his squad.

Bryson is one of those, and his influence both on and off the pitch has certainly aided the development of the younger members of the squad this season.

You have to get the correct balance between youth and experience, and Derby would certainly benefit from securing Bryson's long-term future with the club.

He knows the club well 

Bryson has been at the club for seven seasons now, and he's one of the few players that have stuck around when times have got tough.

It's likely to be a summer of wholesale changes at the club, and Derby need someone who knows the club inside and out, with Bryson certainly coming under that category.