Stephen Pearson says he is delighted to see team-mate Chris Porter back in action.

Porter came off the bench on Saturday four months after undergoing hip surgery to power home the winner in the 1-0 success at Watford.

And Pearson was elated to see his colleague announce his return in match-winning fashion.

"It really is great to see Ports back; we all hope that he is over his injury problems and he can have a good run in the side," Pearson told dcfc.co.uk.

"It was the perfect birthday present for him as well on Saturday; it was a great ball in by Lee Hendrie and a superb header too.

"Ports is a great lad and like I said it is really good to see him out on the pitch again."

With Porter and fellow frontman Steven Davies both coming off the bench at Vicarage Road after long spells in the treatment room Pearson believes the future is looking bright for Derby.

"We've been playing really well lately and the win was totally deserved on Saturday," he said.

"Watford are a hardworking side so we knew we'd have to match them on that front.

"We certainly did that and took the chance when it came our way.

"It is looking bright for us now with Ports and Steven Davies back and available.

"We have players coming back in the next few weeks and I see no reason why we can't kick on and move up the table."

Derby are now unbeaten in 4 games and Pearson says the target within the camp is to take that to 6 with Doncaster and Blackpool coming to Pride Park Stadium over the next fortnight.

He said: "We are looking to win both games over the next few weeks; it is a chance for us to keep the run going.

"Both Doncaster and Blackpool are on good runs so it will be difficult but we have to be confident."