Mile Sterjovski is finding his second visit to the training camp in Mierlo as beneficial as his first.

The 29-year-old headed out to Holland two years ago with the Australia squad as they prepared for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Now he is back there again with Derby County as the Rams build up towards the 2008/09 Coca-Cola Championship season.

Speaking direct from the base in Mierlo, he told www.dcfc.co.uk: "This has been one of the toughest pre-season campaigns I have been invovled in but it is also one of the most enjoyable and rewarding.

"When I stayed here with Australia in 2006 the camp was great for our preparation and it is still a great place to be now."

Sterjovski is part of the way through his first pre-season as a Ram having only arrived at Pride Park in January this year.

It was a difficult few months for anyone settling in at the club, particularly in the case of an overseas player coming to play in England for the first time.

But Sterjovski feels right at home in Derby and knows the hard work he and his colleagues are putting in now will be beneficial.

He added: "Coming in last season was tough, as it was for everyone, but I am very settled now and I will benefit from a full pre-season campaign with the team.

"There is plenty of competition for places this season and all of the players know that, to have a chance of playing, we have to be on top of our game."