Report explains whether Darren Bent or Jason Shackell have futures at Derby County

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Derby County let Darren Bent join Championship rivals Burton Albion on loan in the January transfer window while Jason Shackell headed to Millwall.

Darren Bent and Jason Shackell both left Derby County on loan during the January transfer window – and are both expected to depart Pride Park on a permanent basis at the end of the season.

As reported by the Derby Telegraph, the experienced duo will be free agents when their contracts expire in three months’ time and it is very unlikely that they will be offered a new deal, regardless of which division the Rams find themselves in next season.

34-year-old Bent fell down the pecking order under Garry Rowett, failing to make a single league appearance in the first-half of the campaign. The former England international centre-forward joined Burton Albion on loan two months ago but has not scored in eight appearances for the Brewers, who are 23^rd in the Championship and three points adrift of safety.

Shackell, meanwhile, moved to Millwall with Curtis Davies and Richard Keogh establishing themselves as Derby’s first choice central defensive pairing.

But the fellow 34-year-old is yet to make a real impact at The Den after recovering from injury, managing just 23 minutes of league football spread out across five substitute appearances.

On current form, there is little reason why Derby would feel the need to give Bent or Shackell a second chance at Pride Park. But it remains to be seen whether or not Burton or Millwall would want to sign them permanently on free transfers.