Richard Keogh will appeal against his sacking by Derby County, The Athletic understands, with the club captain said to be shocked at having his contract terminated for gross misconduct over the car crash in which he sustained a serious knee injury.



Keogh was told of his fate at Pride Park on Wednesday in a meeting with the club’s owner, Mel Morris, before he was handed an official letter of termination.



The 33-year-old is unlikely to play for anyone until at least December 2020 as The Athletic understands he may require at least two more surgeries on his injured knee. It is also understood that the PFA is involved in the case and will be supporting the defender throughout his rehab, while Derby are also believed to be willing to help him with his rehabilitation.



Keogh suffered the ligament damage while sitting in the back of team-mate Tom Lawrence’s car when it collided with a lamppost. Lawrence and fellow Derby team-mate Mason Bennett, who was...