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Boss Paul Warne says it would take a "mind-blowing offer" to get Derby County to sell midfielder Max Bird as they chase promotion from League One.

The 23-year-old is out of contract in June and is yet to sign an extension, which was first offered in November.

Bird, a Rams academy product who has made 188 first-team appearances for the club, has long been

"He is a player I'd like to keep. I love Max," Warne told ����ý Radio Derby.

"It would help me no end to try and keep him if we went up a league because he is a Championship midfielder, I think. And he believes he is a Championship midfielder, and so he should.

"I know there are clubs that like him, and so they should."

Derby's 3-2 win over near neighbours Burton on Monday moved the Rams up to third in the table and to within one point of leaders Portsmouth.

The East Midlands club started talks about extending Bird's stay at the same time that discussions with midfielder Eiran Cashin got under way.

The Rams had a year option on Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Cashin's existing contract and triggered it earlier in January.

Derby have since gone on to tie winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing down to a longer deal and are on the cusp of renewing striker Tyreece John-Jules' loan stay from Arsenal.

"David [Derby owner David Clowes] has been really supportive of the fact we want to keep our best player to give ourselves the best chance [of promotion]," said Warne.

"Unless it is a mind-blowing offer, Max is essential to the success of this club. So I'm hopeful that by the time the end of the season comes around we could have got into a position where everyone is happy.

"If they are not and Max ends up leaving, then he goes with our blessing because he has been great for me, a great kid, trains well, plays well, lives right and still can't play the guitar as well as he wants to, but apart from that he has done everything right.

"Everyone at the club is trying to encourage him to stay, but without overselling it."