The Rams will be back under the lights of Pride Park on Friday night for the first time in almost four weeks to take on a Sunderland team fighting for survival.


Derby’s last outing was at the City Ground on March 11 which end in a goalless draw against Nottingham Forest.

Andreas Weimann was picking up momentum, scoring two goals in the weeks leading into the three-week absence from play due to a two-week international break followed by the postponement of the Cardiff City match.

The Derby forward is eager to pick right back up where he left off feeling rejuvenated and after having a few days to recuperate.

Speaking to RamsTV, Weimann said: “I’ve scored a couple of goals and I’ve been feeling well in the games but it’s also be nice to have a little bit of a rest and now I’m fresh and ready to go again.

“We recharged our batteries, it was nice to have a few days off with our families. Now we’ve got these games in mind with just over a month left and we are ready to go.”

The Rams are prepared to put up a fight in the final nine games of the season in a hope to prolong their promotion aspirations for another three games in the play-offs.

But they admit a visit from the Black Cats, despite their position at the bottom of the table, will be far from an easy ride.

“Most people would expect us to win, because obviously their position and our position. We know it’s not going to be easy because they are still fighting for their lives,” he added.

“They want to stay up, they’re not going to give up. So it’s definitely going to be a tough game tomorrow for us. We want to win and we need to win.”

Weimann has made 31 appearances for the club this season scoring five goals.

In the coming weeks the Austrian will face off against two of his former clubs, Wolves who he spent some time on loan with last season, and Aston Villa where he began his career in England up until his move to Pride Park.