Let the Rams pre-season begin

The Rams open their 2009-10 pre-season on Saturday afternoon with a visit to Nigel Clough`s former club Burton Albion (3pm).

It`s the first opportunity for the Rams faithful to see the new signings in action, with Lee Croft, Jake Buxton and Dean Moxey are all expected to feature against the Brewers at the Pirelli Stadium.

It`s a quick return to his old stamping ground for former Burton centre half Buxton, the 24-year-old signing on free transfer for Clough after his contract at Burton expired, while Crofts who also arrived on a free transfer from Norwich City and 23-year-old midfielder Moxey, will start in the game.

Rams manager Nigel Clough is pleased with the way the new boys have fitted in at the Moor Farm training ground. ‘They have all settled very well indeed, which is good to see,’ Clough said.
‘Lee Croft has been up there in the top four or five in all the running, which is nice to see from a new player.
‘It is a big move for them coming to Derby but the pre-season training has helped them to settle quickly.
‘Running in groups and teams helps them to get to know the other lads better,” he added.

Former Norwich skipper Mark Fotheringham, and former Leicester City defender Patrick Kisnorbo could also face Burton.

Fotheringham a 25-year-old midfielder has been training with Derby this week, while Kisnorbo, who was released by the Foxes last season, is set to trial at the club. He has been at Crystal Palace training but will play against Burton as he looks to get his career back on track. “I have to show Leicester next season what they are missing because I`m desperate to stay in the Championship. I`m fully fit and looking forward to a new challenge at a new club,” he said.

Striker Rob Hulse will not be risked against Burton due to a slight groin strain, the Rams boss said last season’s leading scorer should be back training next week.

The Brewers, with former Rams favourites Paul Pechisolido and Gary Rowett as coach and assistant, head into the new season as the newest football league club after promotion from the Blue Square league last season, and the Rams clash is the first of seven pre-season games for the first team.