Rowett Pleased With Rams Fitness

Gary Rowett says Derby County’s players are looking in good shape after they reported back for pre-season training on Thursday.

Rowett’s squad underwent fitness testing at the University of Derby on Wednesday before checking in for their first day of training a day later.

The playing squad were given strict fitness programmes to follow over the off-season in order to stay in shape in the lead-up to preparations for the 2017/18 campaign kicking off.

With each player doing the required workload and uploading their data via technology provided by the Rams’ medical staff back in May, Rowett feels his players are looking in a good place from a fitness perspective.

On top of that, the 43-year-old also believes there was a visible togetherness and team spirit amongst the ranks.

Rowett told RamsTV: “The first day back is usually boiling hot so I am sure the players appreciated the rain and it being a bit cooler.

“They did the work that we asked of them over the summer and you can see that in the fitness of the players.

“To be fair, they’re not too far off where you would expect them to be during the season.”

He added: “We did some ball work straight away but nothing too excessive.

“The lads are in good spirits and you could hear it; there was lots of laughing and joking which is what we want to encourage.

“We want them to enjoy what they are doing and be comfortable with each other. If they are, that bodes well for the season.

“We want them to be relaxed, but also work hard. It’s as simple as that.”

Derby’s players will spend next week in Tenerife during a week-long training camp.

The squad will fly out on Sunday before returning home the following weekend.

With no games scheduled during that time, an intense workload is on the menu for Rowett’s squad.

The Rams’ boss doesn’t want to push his players too early, as he is concerned about picking up injuries in the early stages of pre-season.

He said: “The aim of the first few days, after the testing on Wednesday, is just to provide an introduction to the ball and get them moving again.

“If you go into things too early it can be when you pick up injuries.

“This is just a build-up of what’s to come in Tenerife. When we touch down there, that is when the hard work really starts.”