Derby go into their first pre-season friendly tonight when we take on Dutch side TOP Oss, but Paul Jewell looks like he will have to do without four of his summer signings, Paul Green, Kris Commons, Liam Dickinson and Stephen Davies. One man that is definitely out is Alan Stubbs.
‘We’ll see how the others are this morning. Hopefully they can train and play some part in the game.
‘We’ve not ruled the players out yet but if it’s a risk, we will not play them.
‘Ideally I would like to get 45 minutes into all the players but it looks like some will have to play 90 which is not ideal at this stage. I don’t like doing that.’
Green, groin strain, Commons, tight hamstrings, Dickinson, knee and Davies, also knee will possibly sit it out along with Stubbs, thigh, however other new signings Paul Connolly, Martin Albrechtsen, Jordan Stewart and Nathan Ellington should all feature.
The priority for Jewell is for fitness to be gained, but he would also obviously like to get some victories under his belt in these pre-season matches.
‘You always say fitness at this stage, but we want to win the game.
‘Pre-season games are difficult because nothing really counts until August 9 but we have lost so many games. I have to be careful not to put too much emphasis on it, but we have to try and get that winning mentality.
‘I see it in training, the quality and tempo is far better and higher than last season.
‘The competition for places is going to be intense. Nobody is going to be guaranteed a place in the team. So my message to the players is show me through your training and the pre-season games that you are worth a place in the team.’
Jewell was talking to the Evening Telegraph.
The fight for the goalkeepers jersey will also see Roy Carroll and Stephen Bywater given an early opportunity to stake a claim, with them both being given 45 minutes each tonight, however Jewell isn’t ruling Lewis Price out of this race.
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