“I Can’t Wait To See The Fans And Try To Put On A Performance That They Deserve"

Manager Frank Lampard hopes to put on a performance for the fans this weekend as he takes his Derby County side to the AESSEAL New York Stadium to face Rotherham United.

After a two-week break due to the international fixtures, attention turns back to Sky Bet Championship action this weekend with Lampard’s side looking to continue the good form built up before the interval.

Four victories in six games saw the Rams sit in the top six at an early stage of the season but the manager knows not to underestimate Rotherham, who have picked up some good results since returning to the Championship.

“It will be a really tough game against a Rotherham team who are well organised,” he told RamsTV. “I have watched a lot of them and they have picked up some good results this season already. I’m not taking it lightly, it will be a difficult game for us and we will need to perform at our best.”

On the fans, Lampard added: “We need them and we appreciate them. We had it at Hull for two games in a few days that they turn up and show the level of support like they do, they will do it even more so at Rotherham.

“I thought the Preston atmosphere was great at Pride Park and the uplift that they give the players is huge. Of course we have a responsibility to entertain them and we will do our best to do that but it’s great. I can’t wait to see the fans and we'll try to put on a performance that they deserve.”

The Rams are currently on a four game winning streak in all competitions, and it could be argued that the international break has come at a bad time, but Lampard responded: “I’m not too concerned on that.

“It was a good time for us to work as well because we had a lot of players who had broken pre-seasons. Some of the new signings, some of the lads here, so it was nice.

“It was rest for those that needed it, it was hard work that needed that so hopefully as a squad we are a bit more foolproof now in terms of our base fitness so hopefully we can get the fruits of that in the next month.”

A number of Rams’ players featured for their respective countries during the break and Lampard is happy with how his players got on.

“Everyone is back so it’s good news,” he said. “We had some good appearances and performance for our lads across the board so I’m happy to have the players back together.

“We have worked hard with the lads who have been here during the break. It’s been a mixture of a few days off and then some hard work, physical and tactical work, so as a group I’m happy.”

The manager will be even happier with news from the treatment table as a number of his players are closing in on a return to first team action.

He commented: “Curtis Davies is on his way back, George Evans is on his way back. Harry Wilson is fit, but not quite match fit, so as a squad I think we are strong and we need to be. I will need to use the squad throughout the season.”