Award-winning football writer Henry Winter says Derby County’s debut in the Championship should have the Rams looking ambitiously up the league ladder.

The Rams are 12th in the table after 15 games and are four points above the relegation places and six adrift of the play-off places.

“I think a few people thought they would struggle, so actually they are doing quite well,” Winter told BBC East Midlands Today.

“And why shouldn’t they look up?

“I mean, it’s a really basket case of a division in terms of recruiting, in terms of decisions – it’s actually quite enjoyable to watch because there’s no VAR.”

Derby’s first game back since the international break will be a trip to Preston North End on Saturday.