Rams have 'real chance' this year - returning Travis

Derby County midfielder Lewis Travis says he hopes to be able to take the club to the next level, following his return from injury.

The 28-year-old had been out since October with a calf injury but returned just before the turn of the year.

"I have hated every minute of it (being injured) but the coaching staff and the physios have been great with me," he told BBC Radio Derby.

"You know you are going to come back at some point, but it is about coming back right, so you have just got to stay in the right mindset."

The former Blackburn captain followed his old boss John Eustace to Derby in the summer, departing Ewood Park after more than a decade with the club.

"I wasn't in the best of spaces coming in," admitted Travis, who believes Rams fans are yet to see the best of him.

"Obviously I joined Derby but the weeks before that I wasn't allowed to train [with the Blackburn first-team squad]. I wanted to come here and hit the ground running and show everyone how good I could be, but I don't think that happened."

Saturday's win over Preston moved the Rams, 12th in the Championship, just five points off the play-off places.

Having spent last season battling to avoid relegation, Derby are now eyeing the possibility of exiting the division in the preferable direction.

"We are in a really good position, considering last season wasn't a great one," added Travis.

"I think we all agree we haven't probably played to our capabilities, but with 14 new players trying to gel together, we knew it was going to take time.

"When I signed it was for the project but I think we all realise we have a real chance this year, we have to just keep churning out performances.

"All I want to do is show what I am about and help the team get to the Premier League."

Listen to Travis' full pre-match interview and more Derby content on BBC Sounds.