3/1 To Win
Andre Wisdom pulled up at the Training Centre in partnership with the University of Derby with a big smile and eagerness to get back to work.
Derby County’s first-team checked back in for their first day of pre-season on Friday morning after a few weeks break to rest and recharge.
They left for the summer armed with watches to keep their fitness in check, but the time away also gave Wisdom and his team-mates a chance to spend time with their family and let football take a back seat.
The Rams defender told RamsTV as he arrived: “I switched totally off. I had a good summer but it’s back to reality now and start working hard.
“I’m always excited to get back, I love playing football so I come here with a smile on my face every day and I’m ready to go.”
Work will begin right away with the players undergoing a series of tests in the morning.
The squad will come together in the afternoon for their first training session ahead of their 2018/19 Sky Bet Championship campaign.
In his first full pre-season with Derby after joining last summer, Wisdom is under no illusions and knows the relaxation of summer will come to a grinding halt.
“I definitely don’t look forward to all the testing, but it’s part of it so the coaching staff can see where you’re at. Then we can take it from there,” said the 25-year-old right-back.
“It’s going to be tough regardless, pre-season always is. It’s good to just get back in to it, get hold of a ball and get the lungs going again. It should be good but it will be tough.”
Ahead of the training session, Wisdom, like many of his team-mates, will meet new boss Frank Lampard.
With the coaching staff looking very different from when they left a few weeks ago, pre-season will also be a time for the Rams to become well-acquainted and build relationships ahead of the season.
Wisdom said the new-look has brought a feeling of excitement for the players who have kept in contact over the break.
He said: “It’s really exciting, his name speaks for itself. Hopefully this week and when we get away on our training camp we will be well introduced to him then.
“It was good when he was appointed and everyone was really excited. It’s a new position for him so I’m sure he will be excited to show us what his plans are.
“Hopefully we can get off to a good start with him in pre-season and all the lads can work hard, train hard and get out fitness back, which is our main priority as of now.”
