Up For The Challenge

Midfielder eager to impress once again.

Jeff Hendrick says he’s ready for the challenge of building on his breakthrough season at Derby County.

The 20-year-old central midfielder made 43 appearances for Nigel Clough’s side last season and started in 38 of Derby’s 46 npower Championship matches.

Hendrick went on to pick up the Rams’ Young Player of the Year Award for the 2011-12 season after successfully forcing his way into the first-team squad, in what was his second year as a professional at Pride Park.

With a full season’s worth of experience under his belt, Hendrick is determined to improve his game and make a bigger impact on games.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to the season and the challenge is to carry on where I left off last year, if I can.

“I’d like to kick on from last season and have an even better season.

“I want to get stronger and have an impact in games more as well, which is crucial in my position.”

Hendrick’s partnership with Craig Bryson in the centre of midfield was one of the highlights in Derby’s progressive 2011-12 campaign, and he also wants to add more consistency to his game.

He said: “First and foremost, I want to establish myself in the side because last year counts for nothing when it comes to getting in the side this season.

“Things went well for me last year but I did have a dip at the midway point of the season, so my aim to be more consistent and not have a dip in form this time.”

Derby are back in action at Bolton Wanderers tonight before heading to Wolves on Saturday and Hendrick added: "We've been given a tough start, but we know we're more than good enough on our day to give anyone a game in this league and we'll go into both games confident of getting a result."

Watch Jeff Hendrick’s full and exclusive interview on Rams Player.