Nineteen-year-old Scotland youth goalkeeper Alfie Halliwell is on trial at Derby County, having left Rangers this summer. (Football Insider, external)
Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.
Sammie Szmodics is reportedly nearing a return to Derby County from Ipswich Town after spending the second half of last season on loan at Pride Park.
BBC Radio Derby's Ed Dawes and Rams fan writer Amelia Warren discuss how the 30-year-old could be utilised in the 2026-27 campaign.
Listen to their analysis above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Explore more Derby County content on BBC Sounds
Nick Mashiter
Football reporter
Image source, ShutterstockSammie Szmodics has also played for Colchester, Peterborough and Bristol City
Derby County are edging closer to bringing Ipswich forward Sammie Szmodics back to the club.
The Rams are trying to sign the 30-year-old in a deal worth more than £4m after he spent the second half of last season at the Championship club.
If the move goes through he will link up with boss John Eustace for a third time, having also worked with him at Blackburn.
Republic of Ireland international Szmodics scored three goals in 13 games as Derby finished eighth last term, four points adrift of the play-offs.
Under Eustace at Blackburn he won the division's Golden Boot when he scored 27 goals in 2023-24.
Ipswich have been open to letting Szmodics leave this summer but he has been with the group during pre-season.
They paid Blackburn £9m in 2024 and he has scored five goals in 39 appearances for the Tractor Boys.
Derby County and Sweden goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, 28, is attracting interest from French club Lyon. (Foot Mercato - in French), external
For more transfer news and rumours, read Thursday's full gossip column here.
Image source, Getty ImagesJake Rooney scored three goals during his loan 2025-26 loan spell with Boston
Boston United have signed defender Jake Rooney after he was released by Derby County.
The 22-year-old returns to the Jakemans Community Stadium, having made 16 appearances on loan from the Rams last season as the Pilgrims finished 12th in the National League.
Sheffield United are leading Derby and Middlesbrough in the race to sign former Rangers and Wales winger Rabbi Matondo, 25, who has been training with the Blades following his release by Norwegian side SK Brann. (Sheffield Star, external)
The Blades could be priced out of a move for former loan star Harry Souttar, with Leicester said to value the 27-year-old Australia World Cup skipper at £10m. (Sheffield Star, external)
Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.
Dominic Dietrich
BBC Radio Derby Sport
Image source, Getty ImagesThere is no expectation that Derby County will offer winger Ryan Hedges a contract despite training with the Rams this summer, BBC Radio Derby understands.
The former Wales international worked with Derby head coach John Eustace at Blackburn Rovers and his inclusion in the team is deemed more of a favour between the two.
Derby are light on numbers this pre-season, with Rhian Brewster, Patrick Agyemang and Derry Murkin recovering from injuries, and Sondre Langas and Jacob Widell Zetterstrom both returning from World Cup duty with Norway and Sweden respectively.
The Rams have made just two signings so far this summer in last season's standout loan player Bobby Clark and Southampton defender Charlie Taylor, but it is anticipated that recruitment will pick up over the next week or so.
Derby County have joined the race to sign Brighton winger Tommy Watson, 20, on loan as the Seagulls look to further develop the England Under-20 international in the second tier following a spell at Millwall last season. (Football Insider), external
Rotherham United are considering a move for Austria international Andi Weimann following the 34-year-old forward's release by Derby this summer. (Football League World), external
Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe final four remaining English Football League players have seen their World Cup hopes come to an end at the quarter-final stage.
Watford goalkeeper Egil Selvik, 28, and defenders David Moller Wolfe (Wolves) and Sondre Langas (Derby County) bowed out when their Norway team was beaten 2-1 by England after extra time in Miami on Saturday.
Moller Wolfe, 24, was replaced after 90 minutes of the quarter-final and started five of the Norwegians' six games at the tournament, while Selvik and the 25-year-old Langas were unused substitutes, having featured in the just the one game, a 4-1 group defeat by France.
Burnley forward Zeki Amdouni could not keep Switzerland in the World Cup as he appeared as an 86th-minute substitute and played through extra time of their 3-1 loss to Argentina in Kansas City.
The 25-year-old made four appearances as a replacement during the competition but failed to get on the scoresheet.
Image source, Getty ImagesDavid Moller Wolfe (left) and Zeki Amdouni have helped their countries reach the World Cup quarter-finals
We started with 49 EFL players at the World Cup but only four have survived to reach the quarter-finals with their respective teams.
England could face three of them with Watford goalkeeper Egil Selvik and defenders David Moller Wolfe (Wolves) and Sondre Langas (Derby County) part of the Norway squad which has broken new ground by reaching the last eight.
Selvik, 28, has played one game at the tournament so far, a 4-1 defeat by France in their final group game, while Moller Wolfe, 24, has started four of their five matches.
Langas, 25, like Selvik has had just the one outing, also against France.
Norway meet England in Miami on Saturday, 11 July (KO 22:00 BST).
Burnley forward Zeki Amdouni appeared as an extra-time substitute for Switzerland in their last 16 win over Colombia on Tuesday night, going through 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw.
That was the 25-year-old's third appearance of the tournament, all of which have been from the bench and he will hope to feature in their quarter-final tie against Argentina in Kansas City on Sunday, 12 July (02:00 BST).
Derby County are ready to listen to offers for midfielder Kenzo Goudmijn. The 24-year-old spent part of last season on loan with Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands. (Derby Telegraph), external
You can find more of Wednesday's EFL gossip here.
Derby County are in advanced talks to sign Manchester City striker Divin Mubama on loan. He scored five goals in 26 Championship appearances for Stoke City last season. (Pete O'Rourke), external
You can find more of Monday's EFL transfer gossip here.
Image source, Getty ImagesInto the round of 16 we go at the World Cup and we still have some English Football League stars searching for international glory.
Here is where you can catch your players as we enter the next knock-out stage:
Saturday, 4 July
Alfie Jones, Middlesbrough - Canada v Morocco (18:00 BST)
Ali Ahmed, Norwich City - Canada v Morocco (18:00 BST)
Cyle Larin, Southampton - Canada v Morocco (18:00 BST)
Sunday, 5 July
Sondre Langas, Derby County - Brazil v Norway (21:00 BST)
Egil Selvik, Watford - Brazil v Norway (21:00 BST)
David Moller Wolfe, Wolves - Brazil v Norway (21:00 BST)
Monday, 6 July
Raul Jimenez, Wolves - Mexico v England (01:00 BST)
Jose Sa, Wolves - Portugal v Spain (20:00 BST)
Tuesday, 7 July
Zeki Amdouni, Burnley - Switzerland v Colombia (21:00 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesDerby County have confirmed Danny Batth has left the club after failing to reach a new contract agreement with the defender.
The Championship side tabled an offer to keep the 35-year-old beyond his one-year deal, but in recent weeks it became apparent the former Wolves, Sunderland, Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers centre-back would not remain at Pride Park.
In an injury-disrupted campaign, Batth featured just 12 times for the Rams across all competitions.
Image source, Getty ImagesWolves striker Raul Jimenez scored during Mexico's victory over Ecuador on Wednesday to set up a potential last-16 tie with England at the World Cup.
The 35-year-old doubled the host nation's lead by finding the top corner during the 2-0 win and Maxico will now face either the Three Lions or DR Congo on Monday at 01:00 BST for a place in the quarter-finals.
Wanderers team-mate David Moller Wolfe also secured a place in the last 16 after starting the match for Norway in their 2-1 win over Ivory Coast.
The defender will be joined by Egil Selvik of Watford and Derby County's Sondre Langas as the Norwegians head to New Jersey to play Brazil on Sunday at 21:00 BST.
However, there are some English Football League players who will not be continuing to feature in the tournament after yesterday's results.
Rams stopper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom was between the sticks for Sweden's knockout match against France on Tuesday but they succumbed to a 3-0 loss.
Stoke City keeper Viktor Johansson and Burnley defender Hjalmar Ekdal also return home following Sweden's loss without any tournament minutes under their belt.
Dominic Dietrich
BBC Radio Derby
Image source, Getty ImagesThe confirmation of Ben Wilkinson's addition to Derby County's coaching team is a strong signal of intent from the Rams.
The 39-year-old established his career at Manchester City, working closely with Pep Guardiola and Pep Lijnders at the Etihad Campus - so he's been privy to coaching methods few get to witness.
From what I understand, he had opportunities to go elsewhere in football but he's decided Derby is the right choice to make that step forward in his coaching development.
Rams head coach John Eustace identified and pushed a move for the Manchester City development coach to join his staff as he aspires to make that next step with the Rams this season.
With looming investment, midfielder Bobby Clark over the line and Wilkinson appointed, it would appear Derby are getting their ducks in a row for a strong 2026-27 campaign.
As an in-possession coach, Wilkinson offers something that could allow the squad to evolve and a work ethic to match the intensity of his head coach Eustace.
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City development coach Ben Wilkinson is set to join Derby's backroom staff as part of boss John Eustace's coaching team, according to BBC Radio Derby.
The 39-year-old has been City's under-21 head coach since Brian Barry-Murphy left to become Cardiff City boss in July 2025.
Wilkinson's playing career included spells with Hull City, York City and Boston United before he joined Sheffield Wednesday's academy coaching staff and then moved to Manchester City in 2018, where he guided the under-18 team to a Premier League National title in his first season.
He is the son of former Sheffield Wednesday, Leeds United and England caretaker boss Howard Wilkinson.
Image source, Getty ImagesSouthampton striker Cyle Larin has scored two goals for Canada so far at the 2026 World Cup
We have reached the knock-out rounds of the World Cup but there are still plenty of players from the English Football League representing their country.
Here is where you can watch them in the round of 32:
Sunday, 28 June
Lyle Foster, Burnley - South Africa v Canada (20:00 BST)
Alfie Jones, Middlesbrough - South Africa v Canada (20:00 BST)
Ali Ahmed, Norwich City - South Africa v Canada (20:00 BST)
Cyle Larin, Southampton - South Africa v Canada (20:00 BST)
Tuesday, 30 June
Crysencio Summerville, West Ham - Netherlands v Morocco (02:00 BST)
Sondre Langas, Derby County - Ivory Coast v Norway (18:00 BST)
Egil Selvik, Watford - Ivory Coast v Norway (18:00 BST)
David Moller Wolfe, Wolves - Ivory Coast v Norway (18:00 BST)
Hjalmar Ekdal, Burnley - France v Sweden (22:00 BST)
Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, Derby County - France v Sweden (22:00 BST)
Viktor Johansson, Stoke City - France v Sweden (22:00 BST)
Wednesday, 1 July
Edson Alvarez, West Ham - Mexico v Ecuador(02:00 BST)
Raul Jimenez, Wolves - Mexico v Ecuador(02:00 BST)
Axel Tuanzebe, Burnley - England v DR Congo (17:00 BST)
Edo Kayembe, Watford - England v DR Congo (17:00 BST)
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, West Ham - England v DR Congo (17:00 BST)
El-Hadji Malick Diouf, West Ham - Belgium v Senegal (21:00 BST)
Friday, 3 July
Jose Sa, Wolves - Portugal v Croatia (00:00 BST)
Zeki Amdouni, Burnley - Switzerland v Algeria (04:00 BST)
Harry Souttar, Leicester City - Australia v Egypt (19:00 BST)
Mohamed Toure, Norwich City - Australia v Egypt (19:00 BST)
Cameron Burgess, Swansea City - Australia v Egypt (19:00 BST)
Nestory Irankunda, Watford - Australia v Egypt (19:00 BST)
Saturday, 4 July
Abdul Fatawu, Leicester City, Colombia v Ghana (02:30 BST)
Southend United have signed former Derby County defender Daniel Cox on a two-year contract with an option for an extra year.
The 20-year-old came through the Derby academy and captained their under-21 side before his release this summer without a senior appearance for the Rams.
Cox becomes the National League side's fourth signing of the summer since Kieron Dyer became head coach.
Turki Alalshikh's investment deal edges closer. Audio, 16 minutes
Ed Dawes and Dominic Dietrich discuss Turki Alalshikh's Derby County investment deal.
Pre-season continues against Valencia. Audio, 10 minutes
Ed Dawes and Dominic Dietrich discuss the latest around Derby County's pre-season.
Sam Szmodics linked with Rams return. Audio, 5 minutes
Ed Dawes and Amelia Warren discuss the potential return of Sam Szmodics.
"It is not that logical to do this step when you could play Bundesliga" Audio, 8 minutes
PaderCast podcaster surprised Filip Bilbija chose Championship move
