Winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing says he is 'buzzing' to have extended his contract with Derby County.
It was announced earlier this week that the 31-year-old has penned fresh terms until the summer of 2026.
The Rams return to Sky Bet League One action under the floodlights on Monday night when they take on Burton Albion (8pm kick-off) and Mendez-Laing says the team are eager to get back to winning ways and put things right following last Tuesday evening's Bristol Street Motors Trophy exit to Bradford City at the Round of 16 stage.
Speaking to RamsTV ahead of the match, the winger spoke about his recent contract extension and previewed the return to league football.
On his contract extension...
I'm buzzing. I love the club, I love coming to work every day. There's a great bunch of lads in the dressing room and everyone else around the place. I'm settled. It's the first time in my career that I am living at home. There's a lot of factors to it though; playing at Pride Park, the away support we have - it all funnels into one and I'm loving it.
On the things that go into making the decision...
For me personally, I want to play at the highest level possible still and what better club to do that with than Derby County? We're in a good position now and I want to try and get Derby back to where the club belongs.
On whether he thinks he's playing his best football at Derby...
It's up there with my time at Cardiff City. I feel very confident at the moment, I feel fit, strong and I think it's showing on the pitch.
On if he wants to be seen as a 'Derby player' when it's all said and done...
Yeah, for sure. It's part of the reason why I've signed a new deal. My daughter was a big part in it. I don't think I could play for another team. She loves seeing Rammie every Saturday and it's 'Derby this and Derby that' and she's only two! I wouldn't want to upset her.
On the Bristol Street Motors Trophy exit...
It wasn't up to standards we set ourselves, it wasn't good enough. There were some tough words said in the changing room amongst players. I don't think it was anywhere near good enough from a mentality or performance point of view.
On Monday night and facing Burton Albion...
We need to do the right things, keep putting in the work on the training field and in the gym and take on board what the coaches want. That's why Tuesday was disappointing, because we demand a lot from each other and I don't think there was enough demand in the game. We want to get back to that and look to put things right on Monday against Burton.
