Joe Ward and Callum Elder are both out of contract in the summer. Derby Fan Pundit, Shaun Woodward, said that both players have been excellent this season. He stated that while they were League One signings, they have improved since being in the Championship. Woodward thinks that on merit, both players deserve a new contract this season, regardless of the league the team is in. He believes that if the team made it to the Premier League, the players would be replaced but would be good squad players. Woodward also thinks that if the team stays in the Championship, they currently deserve to keep their starting positions. In his opinion, both players deserve an extension of at least one or two years. Elder, a 31-year-old Australian international, joined Derby County in July 2023 and has a current Transfermarkt market value of €400k.