Rams boss wields the axe

Rams manager Billy Davies has wasted little time wielding the axe at Pride Park and for two of Derby County's Wembley heroes they will have been told they are no longer required.

Both Seth Johnson and Paul Peschisolido started the play-off final against West Bromwich Albion but will not be offered new deals when their contracts expire this summer. Another six squad members have also been released they are Morten Bisgaard, Lee Grant and Paul Boertien, along with youngsters Lionel Ainsworth, Steven Cann and Tom Cumberworth.

Davies thanked the players for their contribution and the professionalism they have shown during their time at Derby.

It`s a huge blow for the 28-year-old midfielder Johnson, who is awaiting arthroscopic surgery on the knee injury he picked up at Wembley. He made 146 appearances in two spells with the Rams.
Peschisolido, 36, signed from Sheffield United in 2004 and scored some important goals to help the Rams avoid relegation. But injuries hampered the Canadians starts for the Rams; he started only 46 times and made another 57 appearances as a substitute during his three years at Pride Park, hitting 24 goals.

Danish midfielder Bisgaard, 32, arrived in 2004 from FC Copenhagen and has played 111 times and scored 10 goals for the Rams. The midfielder could return to Denmark, where Odense and Randers are believed to be interested in him.

Grant, the former England Under-21 goalkeeper, came up through the system at Derby and made 79 appearances. But with him being third in the pecking order between the sticks, Davies has decided to let him go and he looks set to sign for Sheffield Wednesday.

Boertien has been at Derby for eight years. He was signed from Carlisle United by Jim Smith but serious knee injuries have blighted his career. The 28-year-old left-back played 126 times for the Rams.

Ainsworth, a 19-year-old forward, appeared twice as a substitute last season. Goalkeeper Cann and midfielder Cumberworth, also 19, have not figured for the first team.

There will be more ins and outs at Pride Park before the start of the pre-season that is for sure, with Davies looking for the right blend to stay in the Premier League next season.

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