It promises to be an important couple of months for Derby County as they hope for a positive future on and off the pitch.

The Rams still aren't out of the woods when it comes to the relegation dogfight, with one win in their last 10 games leaving them sitting seven points clear of the drop with five matches still to play.

With Coventry having a game in hand and Rotherham also having four, there really is no time for Derby to rest on their laurels, and they will be desperate to return to winning ways soon.

If Derby do avoid the drop, then Wayne Rooney will be desperate to see some progress off the pitch. He was unable to make his mark in January due to the turbulent ownership off the pitch, and made five loan signings on the final day of the window.

With plenty of players out of contract, and those loanees set to return to their parent clubs, it promises to be a summer of change at Pride Park. Here, we take a look at eight players who the club could sell or release this summer...

Davies is among those set to be out of contract at the end of the season.

The defender ruptured his Achilles tendon back in December, and has endured a lengthy spell on the sidelines since then.

His lack of game time may not be his fault, but at 36-years-old, you do have to question Davies' longevity and whether it would be worth keeping him on the books from a financial perspective.

He is undoubtedly a good character to have within the dressing room, but he is one who could depart Pride Park in the summer.

It wouldn't be a surprise to see him leave.

Waghorn's form for Derby this season has been up and down.

It was only last week when Wayne Rooney criticised his effort in training, and his game time has been up and down this season.

Waghorn has scored three goals in 28 league appearances this season, and he needs to do an awful lot more if he is to earn an extended stay in the East Midlands.

He has been a regular since joining the club from Ipswich Town in 2018, but his time at Pride Park could be set to come to an end this summer.

Wisdom has been an almost ever present for Derby this season, making 36 appearances in the Championship.

He has been an important player under Wayne Rooney, turning out at centre-half in a back three or playing in his natural right-back position.

The 27-year-old has been a great servant to the club, but it remains to be seen whether or not he is offered a new contract beyond this season.

The defender could be set for a fresh start this summer.

Buchanan has come on leaps and sounds and gone from strength to strength since scoring on his Derby debut last season.

The left-back is a key player under Wayne Rooney and has stepped in Max Lowe's shoes, making 31 appearances in the Championship this season.

But Football League World understand that West Ham United are tracking the defender ahead of a potential summer move.

Given Derby's previous experience of cashing in on youngsters in the past, this one wouldn't be too much of a surprise, but only if the price is right.

Another player who Football League World understand is on West Ham's radar is Louie Sibley.

In fairness, Sibley has failed to replicate the level performances he produced in the second half of last season.

He scored a hat-trick in the first game back after lockdown - an away win at Millwall - scoring five goals in 11 league appearances last term.

He has only scored one goal in 27 league appearances this season, and could be sold in order to raise funds for the club this summer.

Jozwiak has failed to live up to expectations since joining Derby in the summer.

The Poland international arrived from Lech Poznan as Derby looked to add more attacking firepower.

But the winger has scored only one goal in 37 league appearances for the Rams, and has registered only two assists.

He is on a long-term contract at Pride Park and there is by no means any guarantee that he will leave this summer.

But if an offer did come in for the 22-year-old, it may be one that the club considers entertaining.

It will be interesting to see if anyone takes a look at Max Bird this summer.

The 20-year-old has established himself as a key player at Pride Park since breaking into the first-team last season.

The midfielder has produced a number of impressive performances in the middle of the park, and has made 29 appearances in the Championship.

The defensive midfielder has a lot of potential and is only 20, and whilst we talk about the idea of Derby selling their younger players, he could be one who attracts glances from elsewhere.

Jozefzoon has spent this season on loan at Rotherham having flattered to deceive since joining Derby from Brentford in 2018.

The Dutchman has made 22 appearances for the Millers this season, failing to find the back of the net and registering only two assists.

The winger isn't a part of the first-team plans, and that is a stance which is unlikely to change under Wayne Rooney.

The 30-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season, and it is very unlikely that Derby will offer him a new deal.

He has flattered to deceive at Rotherham, too, so has hardly put himself in the shop window.