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Joe Ledley contract latest should interest Aston Villa and Sunderland

Joe Ledley of Derby County celebrates scoring his teams first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Derby County at Grif...
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Joe Ledley has had a big impact at Derby County but his contract expires in January.

Joe Ledley of Derby County celebrates scoring his teams first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Derby County at Griffin Park on September 26, 2017 in...

Derby County manager Gary Rowett has admitted that Joe Ledley may consider other offers when his contract with the club expires in January, according to the Derby Telegraph.

The Rams signed the 30-year-old as a free agent in September and he has played in eight of their last nine Championship games, with the exception being the 4-2 defeat to Reading.

Rowett is confident that he can keep Ledley at Derby beyond the New Year, but concedes that the player may want to assess all of the options available to him following his good run of form.

Derby manager Gary Rowett during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Queens Park Rangers at iPro Stadium on November 21, 2017 in Derby, England.

“We’ve spoken to Joe and his representatives, and our intention is to keep him for longer,” Rowett is quoted by the Derby Telegraph as saying. “That shows how much effect he has had on the team.

“Of course, his representatives will want to test the market and see what else is out there after a good spell for Joe.

“But I hope he will choose us and I’m confident we will get something sorted.”

As the Birmingham Mail reports, Aston Villa were interested in signing Ledley upon his release by Crystal Palace last summer, and may be convinced to approach him after seeing his impact at Derby.

Joe Ledley of Wales holds off James McClean of the Republic of Ireland during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Group D  Qualifier between Wales and Republic of Ireland at the Cardiff City Stadium...

The Welshman has not been on the losing side for County, helping them to five wins and three draws.

New Sunderland boss Chris Coleman could badly do with that sort of impetus and managed Ledley for five years at international level, so might be another suitor for the in-demand midfielder.

At the very least, it seems as though Derby will have some stiff competition for his signature.