PLAYER of the year twice in his three seasons at the club and 16 goals from midfield last season; Craig Bryson is not a player Derby County can afford to lose at this stage of the team's development.
He played a crucial role in the Rams finishing third in the Championship last season and reaching the play-off final where they suffered late heartbreak at the hands of Queens Park Rangers.
Bryson was injured for the semi-final, second leg tie against Brighton in which Derby impressed but he was fit for the final.
His omission from the starting 11 at Wembley was a huge surprise and a mistake, in my opinion.
That is not a view based on hindsight but a view moulded on the evidence of the whole season.
Derby's midfield was balanced beautifully at times and Bryson was a key figure in the trio. For him not to start the biggest game of the campaign raised quite a few eyebrows.
His form, along with that of other players and the team caught the eye of many people and so Derby fans should not be shocked by interest from other clubs.
Burnley are keen to land Bryson as they prepare for life in the Premier League following promotion.
They had an undislosed bid rejected this morning and whether or not they come back in remains to be seen, clubs often do having been turned away on the first occasion.
If Burnley do knock again, they will need to up their offer significantly although Derby have never put a price on Bryson's head despite reports suggesting they want £2m.
It appears Burnley activated a £750,000 trigger clause in Bryson's contract.
However, that only permits clubs to speak to the player. It does not mean they can sign him for that amount.
The player also has every right to speak to clubs, if such a clause allows him to and if he wishes to.
Derby's aim is to build on last season and go one better, if possible.
Selling its best players is not part of the plan and the club has stated how keen it is to keep the squad together.
Bryson has proved himself as a key component in the squad.
All players have a valuation, none are irreplaceable including Bryson, but to lose him would be a blow unless Burnley or any other club are prepared to pay a fee that cannot be ignored.
Also, chief executive Sam Rush is not the type to allow assets like Bryson to leave on the cheap.
"This club will not be a soft touch in the transfer market," Rush told me when he first arrived.
His stance has not changed.
