Out of favour Derby County player needs to seek transfer exit before August 30 to save his career: View | OneFootball

Conor Washington has not featured in either of Derby's opening league games, and could be on his way out of Pride Park.

Highlights

Conor Washington must make a decision on his Derby County future sooner rather than later, with it looking likely that he will not have a role to play in the Championship this season.

Although he only joined the Rams last summer, the 32-year-old has struggled to break into the starting XI on a consistent basis, with injuries and less than inspiring form forcing him to watch on from the sidelines and stands.

Washington signed a two-year contract with Derby on his arrival, linking up with former Rotherham United boss Paul Warne. But, this season, he has not been involved with the first-team, a trait that has carried over from pre-season.

With time loosely running out on his career, and maintaining fitness an issue at his age, the Northern Ireland international must find a way out of Pride Park before the August 30 deadline, or risk four months away from senior football.

Washington's 2023/24 campaign was average at best

The signing of Washington was not one that truly excited the Pride Park faithful, however, their League One status at the time meant that they would struggle to bring in the same firepower that they had done in the past.

The 32-year-old was and is still is behind James Collins in the pecking order, and the arrival of Martyn Waghorn did not help matters last season, but he was given his opportunities.

Washington made 19 league appearances for the Rams, scoring three goals, but he managed to play just 673 minutes - averaging just over 35 minutes per game.

An ankle injury picked up on international duty in November halted any momentum that he had from the start of the season, having picked up a goal and an assist in a 4-0 home win over Northampton Town in his final match before he joined up with the Northern Ireland squad.

He was brought back into the Derby team off the back of a major injury crisis in the striker department, but he started just twice in the final seven games of the season, before Collins returned from an injury of his own to help the Rams win promotion back to the Championship.

Washington is not as good as his competition and a move could work for both parties

This summer has been a bad one for Washington's Derby career, with the arrival of Kayden Jackson and Jerry Yates pushing the 32-year-old further down the pecking order.

The rise of Dajaune Brown will also be a worry for the striker, but leaving Pride Park is not a failure for this season.

A move to League One or Two could be the perfect way for him to get firing once again, and prove to not only Warne, but also himself, that he is still a dangerous finisher, who will score when given the chance.

He perhaps is not at the level to compete for a place in this Derby team, but accepting that and playing in a lower division will give him the opportunities to score goals and potentially keep his international career going for longer.