Curtis Davies admits there’s an air of anticipation in the Derby County camp to get the 2017/18 season up and running.
The Rams have been handed a tasty-looking opener away to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Friday evening (7:45pm kick-off).
Under new management after appointing Simon Grayson as their new boss this summer, the Black Cats will be looking to mount an immediate promotion charge back to the Premier League.
Davies, who joined Derby from Hull City during the close-season, says he can’t wait to get the campaign up and running for real.
Gary Rowett’s squad reported back for pre-season training towards the end of June and, following a gruelling programme, Davies believes the Rams are ready to go.
He told RamsTV: “I think we’re ready for the season now; we have had enough games and got the fitness in our legs.
“We’ve done all the hard work and there’s no excuses now, everyone wants to get going and prove how good we are.
“There’s an air of excitement and all the hard work during pre-season, as much as it isn’t fun running around, it’s all for a goal.
“That goal is in sight and it’s an exciting first game for us and hopefully it’s one we can win.”
Derby played their final pre-season friendly ahead of the new campaign last Saturday.
They went down 2-1 to German top flight outfit Hoffenheim at Pride Park Stadium, but produced a lively display and one which offered plenty of encouragement for the future.
Davies felt the match was a ‘shock to the system’ for Derby’s players as they came up against opponents who are set to compete in the Champions League this term.
He said: “We were up against a team that will be playing in the Champions League qualifiers and are very organised.
“It was tough to get at them and I don’t think we touched the ball for the first five minutes!
“We got to grips with it and gave them a good game in the end.
“It seemed that extra bit of quality won them the game and it was our toughest test of pre-season without a doubt.
“I actually think it’s the type of game that we needed because it was a bit of a shock to the system and we are going to be stronger for it.”
