Veteran defender Forsyth in talks over new Derby deal

Craig Forsyth made 42 appearances for Derby this season

Long-serving Derby County defender Craig Forsyth is in talks to remain with the Championship club beyond this summer.

The 36-year-old has made 382 appearances in 12 years with the Rams.

Both he and 23-year-old midfielder Liam Thompson are in discussions about renewing their contracts after the club avoided relegation on the final day.

Manager John Eustace, who had Forsyth as a team-mate while playing for Derby a decade ago, made his feelings about the defender clear after this month's season-ending draw with Stoke City.

"He has led by example, he is Derby through and through and he is someone I want to keep at the club for sure, next season," Eustace said in the post-match media conference.

"He has been an unbelievable servant for the football club. It's easy to write players off because of their age, and when you are used to having someone around you take them for granted.

"His performances at left centre-half before he had to change to left wing-back were very good."

Meanwhile, Derby have released Tom Barkhuizen, Sonny Bradley, Tyrese Fornah, Jeff Hendrick, Rohan Luthra, Erik Pieters, Kemar Roofe and Conor Washington.

Barkhuizen played 22 times for the Rams this season, while Bradley spent the second half of the campaign on loan on at League One Wycombe, Fornah was at League Two Salford City for the whole season and goalkeeper Luthra ended the season on loan with non-league Spennymoor.

Hendrick, who failed to make an appearance on his return to the club, Roofe and Pieters all leave after signing on short-term deals to see out the campaign at Pride Park.