The pressure is firmly on Derby County in the Sky Bet Championship, with Gary Rowett’s squad fighting to get back into play-off contention.

A difficult run of form has led to the Rams throwing away a magnificent position, with the race for the top-six now wide open ahead of the final run-in.

Derby’s squad should’ve handled the situation they found themselves in better, with Rowett having plenty of quality and experience at his disposal.

It isn’t the first time that Derby have collapsed at this stage of the season, which begs the question whether Rowett will be looking to take some of this year's squad forward into next season.

With that in mind, we take a look at some of the fringe players at the Pride Park Stadium, identifying THREE that we believe Derby simply need to get off their books over the course of the summer…

Bent has spent the second-half of this season on-loan with Burton Albion across the Championship, but has had very little impact.

The veteran forward has been a good servant to Derby over the years, but the summer is the right time for him and the club to go their separate ways.

Butterfield is another that is out on-loan, with the midfielder spending the year at Sheffield Wednesday.

He has had little impact at Hillsborough, and when he returns in the summer, Derby have to move him on permanently.

Keogh has been Derby’s captain and often one of their most consistent performers in recent years, but his time at the Pride Park Stadium is surely coming towards the end.

The Irish international doesn’t look like a defender with top-six quality any longer and could well be moved on in the summer.