Derby County fan pundit Lisa Howard has dubbed the news that Chelsea plan to keep Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori at Stamford Bridge next season as a massive blow.

Both players were vital in the Rams' run to the Championship play-off final, but with a transfer ban hanging over them a source close to Chelsea has told Football League World the pair will be staying with them.

"Missing these two players will be a massive blow next season," the regular punter told Football League World.

"Tomori was immense in the centre of Derby's defence and got better game by game. His presence and ability to get forward at pace will be missed."

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But despite the defender's influence, Howard insists that it will be Mount who the club will struggle most to replace.

The 20-year-old scored eight times and assisted five more in 38 league appearances last season and it remains to be seen how the Rams will cope without him in their attack.

"I do not think we could replace Mason - he is that good," she said.

"His ability for someone so young is amazing.

"The impact he has on a game was evident to see. When he was injured Derby only managed to win a small number of games without him."

With such key men now very likely to be missing next season, then, it would be hard to blame fans for having a slightly pessimistic outlook on next season.

But after guiding the club to a play-off final in his first season as a manager, Howard has backed Lampard to get it right in the transfer market again.

"Frank will have planned for not getting the loan signings back," she insisted.

"I think it is time to move onto new targets as it is important to the have the squad ready for preseason.

"The squad will, again, need a few loan signings to compliment what he already has and I think because the signings this season have done so well, clubs will be happy for them to come to Derby."

And as far as desired replacements that could realistically arrive at Pride Park re concerned, Howard's attention is not moving too far from the tried and tested approach.

"I would like to see Ethan Ampadu come from Chelsea if that was possible, he is only 17 and not really featured much in their first team this season," she said.

"In Frank we trust, I am sure he will replace them as best he can."