Former England midfielder Carlton Palmer thinks Derby County would not "regret" allowing Joe Ward to leave the club in January.

Reports have claimed that Portsmouth and Oxford are both keen on the former Peterborough attacker who has made just seven starts this season. Ward is under contract at Derby for another two seasons having signed on a free transfer from Posh last summer.

With head coach Paul Warne looking to add to his own squad, he will need to let players leave in order to bring them in given Derby are at their 25-man squad limit. And Palmer, speaking to Football League World, sees Ward as a player who could leave for pastures new.

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"Oxford United and Portsmouth are keeping an eye on the situation of Derby County’s Joe Ward," Palmer said. "He’s under contract for two more years at Derby County, but he’s not been a regular starter for Paul Warne’s side, so it may be that Paul Warne allows Ward to leave the club.

“He’s only made seven appearances in all competitions this season, and he’s not a regular starter. It’s a very difficult one, but letting Ward go would free up funds for Derby County to bring in some new arrivals.

“We know money is tight for Paul Warne, and he’s not a regular starter, so it’s one of those situations where Oxford are in and around where Derby are in the league table, but as a manager you can’t worry about that. If a player doesn’t fit in to your style, and he’s not playing regular football, then you just get him out if you’re tight for funds.

“You don’t worry about where the player goes, you let him go, and then you bring in the players you want at the football club. I don’t think they’ll regret it. It would be a good bit of business for Derby County, freeing up space and bringing in funds that they require."

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