Injured Ireland star Richard Keogh has been told to take a pay cut on his €1.5 million euro wages if he wants to remain at Derby County, Irish Mirror understands.
Keogh, who has picked up 26 international caps, is facing at least a year out of action after sustaining a severe knee injury in a car crash that resulted in Rams team-mates Tom Lawrence and Mason Bennett being convicted of drink-driving.
It is believed that the two-time Irish captain, 33, has been given some time to consider a proposal to see out the remainder of his contract on reduced wages.
The 33-year-old's current deal, reportedly worth €1.5 million euro a year, runs until the summer of 2020.
According to The Telegraph, if Keogh does not accept the offer, "the threat of being sacked for gross misconduct cannot be ruled out".
A Derby County spokesman told Derbyshire Live: "The process is ongoing and in order not to prejudice any of that process we will not be making any comment until the conclusion of our investigation."
Keogh has made more than 350 appearances for the Rams since his move from Coventry City in 2012.
The central defender has twice been voted player of the year by the Derby fans and he had been ever-present in the league this season before suffering his injury.
Lawrence and Bennett were both banned from driving for two years following the incident on the A6 near Allestree shortly before midnight on September 24.
They also received a 12-month community order, requiring them to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.
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