"We Are A Fit Group And We Keep Going Until The End"

Richard Keogh has praised Derby County’s resilience ahead of Friday’s Sky Bet Championship encounter against league leaders Leeds United at Elland Road.

The central defender has been an ever-present for the Rams this season, featuring 34 times in all competitions for club and country.

The Rams have picked up 14 points from losing positions this season, which is one of the highest in the Championship, and Keogh praised the squad for their determination to get a result from game.

“It’s been a good trait of ours this season,” admitted Keogh, who was chatting to RamsTV.

“We have been down in too many games this season so that’s not ideal, but it shows what we are about to come back.

“We are a fit group and we keep going until the end. We don’t get too down if we go behind, we just keep doing things that the manager tells us and we have managed to win a few points by doing it like that.

“To go to a team like Norwich and for the first 30 minutes, they were very good, probably one of the best teams we have played all season in that spell, but to come back into the game and get the goal and swing the momentum back in our favour was key as we went on to win 4-3. It goes to show what we are all about.”

The Rams travel to Elland Road on Friday to face Marcelo Bielsa’s side, who have suffered three consecutive defeats in all competitions.

After defeats in the league against Hull City and Nottingham Forest, they were knocked out of the FA Cup at the Third Round stage following a defeat against Queens Park Rangers last Sunday.

However, despite their recent form, Keogh admitted it will be a tough encounter.

“They are having a good season and the new manager has come in and transformed them with the style that he has implemented,” he said.

“He has put his own methods on it because he’s not changed too many players from last year so it’s credit to him for getting the best out of those players and they look a really good team. We played them earlier in the season and they were a good team.

“They played with high energy and have good qualities so we know what to expect. I think we have learned a lot since we played them earlier in the season. We have grown as a team so for us it’s going to be an exciting game. It will be tough, but it will be exciting.”