Rams line up friendlies

DERBY County have revealed the first part of their plans for pre-season.

The Rams will gear up for their 2021-22 Championship campaign with matches against Salford City and Notts County.

They are also planning to host two friendly fixtures at Pride Park Stadium, with the opponents still to be confirmed.

Wayne Rooney’s squad will spent the first part of pre-season at the club’s Moor Farm training ground, before having a training camp “elsewhere in England” in mid-july.

The games at Pride Park are scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 18, and Wednesday, July 28.

In between, Derby will travel to

Salford - managed by former Rams Academy coach Gary Bowyer - on Saturday, July 24 (3pm).

And Rooney’s men are set to round off their pre-season campaign against Notts at Meadow Lane on Sunday, August 1 (1pm).

The EFL season start the following weekend (Saturday, August 7), with a live television game likely to be played the day before.

Derby will discover their full fixture schedule next Thursday.

As for whether fans will be able to attend the pre-season friendlies, the Rams say: “The club is awaiting confirmation from the UK Government and relevant football authorities in relation to the admittance of spectators for the home friendly matches at Pride Park Stadium.

“The club will communicate ticketing information and processes at the earliest available opportunity.”

The club added that all first-team friendly matches will be streamed on Ramstv.

2021/22 EFL season key dates:

Fixture release: Thursday June 24. Start date: Saturday August 7 (with a live television game likely on Friday August 6).

Carabao Cup round one: w/c August 9.

Carabao Cup final: Sunday February 27.

Championship season final day: weekend of May 7-8.

Championship play-off final: Sunday May 29.