It was another season of what might have been for Derby County and their quest for promotion goes on for another season after a play-off semi-final defeat to Hull City, curtailed their progress last season.

Derby started the season with Paul Clement in charge after Steve McClaren departed for Newcastle United, and chairman Mel Morris heavily backed him in the transfer market bringing in the likes of Tom Ince, Bradley Johnson, Jason Shackell, Jacob Butterfield and Nick Blackman bringing the total spend to a whopping £25 million.

They started pretty well in the Sky Bet Championship and were top near Christmas but in true Derby fashion they fell away badly from the top two and Clement was sacked in early February.

Academy boss Darren Wassall took charge and despite some tactical blunders they hung on to there play-off spot. It was yet more disappointment however and after being humbled 3-0 at home by the Tigers, they had a mountain to climb and despite winning at the KC Stadium 2-0 they were confined to another season in the Championship, after a 3-2 aggregate defeat.

Morris took action installing Nigel Pearson as manager and Chris Powell as his assistant which has pleased the Rams faithful as the ex-Leicester manager has won promotion before.

Derby had a very strong defence last year and in the transfer market will mainly add extra support for Chris Martin who bares the brunt for most of the goals.

Football League World writer Michael Hasan takes a look at three Derby County players to look out for next season.

Craig Forsyth

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The one position Derby have struggled to nail down in the back line is the left back position. Keogh and Shackell are nailed down as the central defensive pairing whilst the former Player of the Season Cyrus Christie is at right-back.

Forsyth was the regular left back until suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage causing Derby to replace him with alternation between Stephen Warnock, Chris Baird and Marcus Olsson with Derby settling on the latter for most of the season.

With Forsyth back in position they may finally have a secure back line which can help them win promotion and the Scotland international will also link up well with Ince down the flank.

Will Hughes

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Will Hughes has always been acknowledged as one of finest young English talents in the Championship. It seems like he has been around for ages but in fact he is sill only 21 and has racked up well over 100 appearances for Derby.

Hughes performed very well in the 2014/15 season and was linked to moves to the biggest clubs in England but cruciate ligament damage kept him out this season until the very end meaning sadly we didn't see a lot of him but with him back to full fitness he will be like a new signing next season.

Craig Bryson

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One of the best midfielders in the Championship on his day which he proved in the 13/14 season where he scored an incredible 16 goals in 45 games as Derby reached the Play-Off Final.

The 29-year-old is capped for Scotland but missed most of last season due to a knee injury which kept reoccurring. He will probably play where Bradley Johnson currently is who has been massively disappointing this season. Derby need his goals and movement in midfield if they are to supply Martin with adequate chances.

Derby County fans, do you think these three are ones to watch for next season? Who else should people keep an eye on? Let us know in the comments below!!!