Midfielder Craig Bryson say Derby County are looking to deliver a positive result for the supporters at Burton Albion on Saturday, as the Rams step-up their pre-season preparations.

Midfielder Craig Bryson say Derby County are looking to deliver a positive result for the supporters at Burton Albion on Saturday, as the Rams step-up their pre-season preparations.

Nigel Clough’s men kicked-off their pre-season schedule with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Mansfield Town on Wednesday evening, despite taking the lead through Theo Robinson’s 34th minute penalty.

However, although Bryson admits the main purpose of pre-season fixtures is for the players to regain their fitness and match sharpness, the former Kilmarnock midfielder says he wants to combine those with a victory at the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday.

He told Rams Player: “The Mansfield game was very tough.


"The first game is always really hard after having so many weeks off, but your match fitness and touch comes back the more you play.

“I think you get most of your fitness out of the pre-season games and that’s where you pick up your match sharpness, so everybody is looking forward to the game tomorrow and then the following fixtures.


“You obviously have to play games in order to get your match sharpness up and that is why we play so many games before the season starts.


“I think it is fair to say that no one wants to just come into training and run around all the time, you want to play in games, everybody is looking forward to it and hopefully we can get a positive result this time.”


Summer signings Richard Keogh, Michael Jacobs and Paul Coutts all came through 45 minutes unscathed at the One Call Stadium on Wednesday night and Bryson says the trio have all settled in well since their respective arrivals.

“Yes, they have all settled in quickly, and have done very well in training - as well as putting in good performances against Mansfield on Wednesday," he said.


"I've always thought that we have have got a good team spirit here, so new players tend to settle in quite quickly.”


Watch the full interview with Craig Bryson exclusively on Rams Player.