Rams can thrive in Championship, says Mendez-Laing

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has 13 goals and 14 assists in 95 Championship matches

Derby County winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing says the Rams have "more than enough to be comfortable" on their return to the Championship.

Rams manager Paul Warne, who wanted 12 new players after guiding County to promotion in his second season in charge, has added four midfielders and three forwards to his squad over the summer.

And Mendez-Laing is confident Derby will quickly adjust to their new level after a two-year absence from the second tier.

"We've had some good additions to the squad and we're starting to gel," Mendez-Laing told BBC Radio Derby after scoring twice in a 4-3 friendly loss to League One side Barnsley.

"The plan was to get Derby back to the Championship. I'm so happy to be here and I can't wait to be [playing there] with this club and group of players.

"There are some quality players at the big clubs [in the Championship]. If you turn the ball over, you might get punished a lot more.

"But we've got more than enough to be comfortable in the league."

Now 32, Mendez-Laing says he is "very excited" to be back in the second tier for the first time since the 2020-21 season, having played in the division for Peterborough, Middlesbrough and Cardiff City, as well as a spell in the Premier League with the Bluebirds in 2018-19.

"It's been quite a while for me and I've been eager to get back there," he said.

"I'll play anywhere the gaffer wants me to play but I think we all know that my most effective position is coming in from the wings.

"Pre-season has been tough, as it should be. You have to dig in to get fit. You build up that level of fatigue but it's needed to be ready."

Mendez-Laing's first goal against Barnsley came after a Jerry Yates shot was saved and the pair have struck up a strong relationship during preparations for a campaign which will begin at Blackburn Rovers on 9 August.

Yates has joined on a season-long loan from Swansea City after working with Warne during his time as manager at previous club Rotherham, although the 27-year-old will initially be suspended because he was sent off on the final day of last season.

"Jerry's a top lad and I get on really well with him off the pitch," said Mendez-Laing. "We're building up that connection. Hopefully it's a successful one."