Among the pre-season friendlies, Derby will be expecting a visit from UEFA Cup Finalists, Espanyol.

Derby County vs Espanyol

Saturday 4th August 2007

3.00pm

Pride Park

This is such a high profile game that is bound to attract some foreign interest for the new Premiership Derby County. While Espanyol only reached 11th in Spain’s La Liga (the top division), they only lost out to Seville on penalties after a 2-2 draw, proof if any that they are a team that are potentially the best in Europe.

To keep tensions high, we will also be facing some local rivals in the pre-season friendly campaign against the likes of Ilkeston Town, Stafford Rangers, Macclesfield Town and Crewe Alexandra. A clash with Nottingham Forest is also on the cards but still needs confirming. All this PLUS a tour of Italy should get the Derby boys ready for an intense year ahead in the Premiership.

Filed by Si at 9:15 am under In Brief