"We Are Ready To Go"

Despite the international break, manager Frank Lampard has been very busy on the training ground preparing his side for this weekend’s game against Sheffield United.

And the boss knows it will be a tough clash against the Championship’s table-toppers.

The Blades have reacted well following two opening defeats against Swansea City and Middlesbrough and have won eight of their last 11 games.

That has seen them rise from the foot of the table, to the top, and Lampard knows that Chris Wilder’s side will pose Derby County a couple of problems.

“They have got good players, they are a good team and they are used to a way of playing in the last couple of seasons,” he told RamsTV. “I have watched them a lot and they have a very good team and are a good unit.

“They are very well managed and they are top for a reason, for the way they have been playing. It will be a fight for us physically, because they have a very competitive team, but also in terms of the way they play their football.

“I think they are open, they are expansive with the way they play, and they involve their centre backs in attacking play to a big degree.

“We are very desperate for a win, with our league position and being at home, but also they are a team that are confident and they are flying so let’s see who comes out on top. We will have to be at our best and fully prepared.”

Curtis Davies made his return to the squad against Queens Park Rangers before the international break, whilst the gap has allowed midfielder George Evans to return to fitness.

The 23-year-old is back in contention following a knee injury picked up two months ago, and he will be needed due to the congested fixture list.

Derby County face three of the current top four in their upcoming games, as well as face a trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

“It’s a great challenge for us,” he admitted. “It’s hard to analyse the Championship. There are obviously positions in the league but you can have just as difficult a game against anybody, at anytime.

“Sheffield United, for me, are the best team at the moment because they are top and because of their current form. In West Brom, we have a team with a lot of Premier League experience and fresh Premier League players.

“Middlesbrough have amassed a squad that are strong and powerful so we are coming up against challenges in all three games. They will be a great test for us so for a new team it will be good to see where we are at.

“The Championship has been very well respected for years now. The level of quality and competitiveness is huge. You look at the list of games, week in, week out, and you see big clubs going up against each other, and it’s hard to predict the results each week and that’s good.

“We moan that in certain leagues there are two or three teams that are going to win it every year and we are the opposite of that in the Championship.”

Despite the two-week break, Lampard quashed the myth that international breaks were a relaxing period.

“They are busy,” he commented. “I’ve had a lot of people contact me over the last 10 days to see how I’ve been getting on in my ‘break’, but it’s the opposite!

“It’s as busy because your mind is buzzing, you are looking at the next section of games coming up, you’re working hard on the training ground with the players, then you’re looking at the future in different ways so you don’t really switch off as a manager.

“We are ready to go. It’s all about focus. We break this season into compartments. It’s been a nice time for reflection but a time to work hard.”