Derby County icon could end Rams career by breaking personal milestone against Stoke City

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Derby County’s Championship destiny is in their own hands as they head into the final weekend of the 2024/25 season.

The Rams welcome Stoke City to Pride Park Stadium on Saturday at 12:30, with the knowledge that a win will keep them in the division for another year, while they could also be rescued if at least one of Preston North End, Luton Town or Hull City are beaten in their respective games.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
16	PortsmouthPortsmouth	45	14	11	20	57	70	-13	53
17	Oxford UnitedOxford United	45	13	13	19	46	62	-16	52
18	Stoke CityStoke City	45	12	14	19	45	62	-17	50
19	DerbyDerby	45	13	10	22	48	56	-8	49
20	PrestonPreston	45	10	19	16	46	57	-11	49
21	LutonLuton	45	13	10	22	42	64	-22	49
22	Hull CityHull City	45	12	12	21	43	53	-10	48

It is set to be a fantastic occasion in the East Midlands, with tension building by the hour in the lead up to the match. Stoke, John Eustace’s former club, can be relegated as well, adding to the pressure of the clash.

However, for one particular Derby ace, it could be a day filled with emotion as he potentially prepares for the final match of his career.

Craig Forsyth can end his Derby County career on a high with a goal

Heading into this season, it was understandable if there were some fears surrounding the capabilities of Craig Forsyth at this level considering he was going to turn 36 halfway through the campaign.

After a slow start, he quickly started to prove why he has seen off competition from the likes of Ashley Cole, Max Lowe and Scott Malone in the past to retain his position at left-back over 12 years since he first joined on loan from Watford.

But the veteran defender’s contract is due to expire in the summer, and as has been the case in the last few years, he had been forced to wait to see if a new deal would arrive at his feet.

Therefore, it could be 382 and out for Forsyth, but before he does potentially hang up the boots, he has the opportunity to break his own personal goal record in a season, with the three that he has scored this campaign matching his totals 2021/22 and 2023/24 for the Rams.

Two of his strikes this season have come under Eustace, and he looks a player reborn, playing at both left centre-back and wing-back when needed.

With plenty of loanees and out of contract players set to depart on Saturday, Pride Park could be a hive of emotion, including for Nat Phillips, who Derby supporters want to stay.

Craig Forsyth’s contract must be renewed by Derby County

While he will turn 37 next February, it is clear to see that Forsyth has not lost any of the ability that he has always possessed since joining Derby and his body has been able to keep up with the relentless nature of both the Championship and League One in the last few years.

Any decision surrounding his future must purely be decided by him, and if he is happy to carry on in a Rams shirt, then Eustace must offer his former teammate a new deal to keep him at the club until 2026.

The 2024/25 campaign has seen Forsyth play his most Championship games in a year since 2013/14, and this is testament to his fitness and professionalism while he also been chipping in at both ends of the pitch.

If Saturday is to be the last hurrah for the Scottish full-back, then what better way to go out than with another goal and by keeping his beloved Derby away from the drop in what has been a rollercoaster of a campaign.