INTERVIEW: Eustace relishing Pride Park return for Preston clash

John Eustace says there is a feeling of excitement in the air for his Derby County side to return to action at Pride Park Stadium this weekend.

Derby will host Preston North End in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off) in their first home fixture in just over four weeks, owing to back-to-back away fixtures in league action and the September international break.

Eustace’s side will head into the clash with the Lilywhites buoyed from picking up their first win of the 2025/26 Championship campaign last Saturday with a 1-0 success at West Bromwich Albion, courtesy of substitute Andi Weimann’s late goal at The Hawthorns.

The Rams are unbeaten in three second tier outings, having drawn 1-1 at home to Bristol City and 2-2 at Ipswich Town last month in the lead-up to the first round of international games this term - but Eustace has stressed there is plenty more hard work ahead.

The visit of Preston will kick off a run of three home fixtures in four matches prior to the October international break, with Charlton Athletic and Southampton making the journey to Derbyshire in the next few weeks, and Eustace is relishing the return to familiar territory.

Eustace told RamsTV after the win at West Bromwich Albion: “When you look at the two away games we’ve had at Ipswich and West Brom, to get four points from those is a great testament to the boys.

“There is a lot of hard work ahead for us.

“We can’t wait to get back to Pride Park and play in front of our fans again.”

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