Former Ipswich Town forward Martyn Waghorn has helped Derby County seal promotion back to the Championship. 

Paul Warne's side were officially promoted yesterday following their 2-0 win at home to bottom of the table Carlisle United to end their two-year stay in League One. 

It is the fourth time Warne has guided a side to promotion from the third tier, his three previous successes coming with Rotherham United. 

The Rams were on the brink of oblivion when they were relegated from the second tier while in administration in 2022. However they now join Portsmouth, who won the League One title. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Derby County chairman David Clowes lifts the League One runners up trophy after winning promotion to the Championship.Derby County chairman David Clowes lifts the League One runners up trophy after winning promotion to the Championship. (Image: PA)

Waghorn returned to the Rams for a second spell last summer after joining from Coventry City on a one-year deal, having spent three years at Pride Park between 2018 to 2021. 

The 34-year-old scored seven goals in 27 games as Derby finished second in the table, with 92 points. The Rams also have four other former Town players in their ranks. 

Captain Conor Hourihane has led them to promotion but didn't make an appearance at Town under Roy Keane's management in the 2010/11 season. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Derby County's Conor Hourihane lifts the League One runners up trophy after winning promotion back to the second tier.Derby County's Conor Hourihane lifts the League One runners up trophy after winning promotion back to the second tier. (Image: PA)

Defender Callum Elder also joined the Rams last summer from Hull City and spent a brief time on loan at Portman Road in 2019.

Forward Tyreece John-Jules made just 14 appearances in an injury-hit campaign with the Rams on loan from Arsenal. He spent last season at Town, where he scored three goals in 21 games. 

Keeper Scott Loach has been their third choice keeper this season but hasn't made an appearance during the 2023/24 campaign. He made 33 appearances for Ipswich in his two seasons at the club. 

Waghorn scored 16 goals in 46 games during his one season at Town, before leaving the club to join Derby for his first spell in 2018.