Paul Warne addresses Derby County transfer rumours amid January exit talk
Paul Warne says he will not be surprised if there are more rumours linking his fringe players with a move out of Derby County this month.
With the January window now open for business, Joe Ward has recently been touted as a target for both Oxford and Portsmouth.
Derby will have to let players leave to bring them in with Conor Washington a potential candidate to leave the club after failing to make an appearance this season. Head coach Warne said he would not be shocked if more speculation starts to emerge in the coming weeks, particularly if players are not regularly starting.
READ MORE: Ruthless, devastating and Paul Warne's dream - the triple threat linked with Derby County transfer
READ MORE: Anger grows over Derby County record after 'embarrassing' stat
"It's the same at every football club," said Warne. "The ones who aren't starting are always rumour-linked. If everyone was fit, you would respectfully ask me, well what's happening with him?
"I appreciate every window there's speculation about all my players because they're good players and I can understand why other teams would want them.
"It wouldn't surprise me if there's speculation about Wardy or Tom Barkhuizen or Corey Blackett-Taylor - the list goes on. The lads who haven't started many games recently will be linked to everything, and I can understand why. I'm fortunate that throughout my career, my players have always been wanted by others because I think people can see what they bring, but the characters that we sign here are virtually faultless. I understand the rumours and they will always continue."
