It was a case of just getting through last season Shaun Barker

Derby County centre-half Shaun Barker says his rehabilitation after knee surgery is going well and he is close to returning to competitive action.

The 27-year-old defender struggled with injury for most of last season and had surgery in May to clean up the joint.

But he is back in training and told BBC Radio Derby: "It was a case of just getting through last season.

"But we've had the operation and hopefully I'll be a little bit easier on it this season."

He added: "Sometimes I was maybe training once or twice during the week and playing on a Saturday so it wasn't perfect but we've just had to manage it."

But he is back in the reckoning to feature for the Rams in their pre-season schedule, although the 3-3 draw with Bournemouth on Wednesday night came too soon for him.

Barker said: "I've stepped up my football and my running this week and I'm feeling fairly fit so we're not too worried about the fitness."

Kris Commons, Paul Green and James Bailey were on target for Nigel Clough's side in the draw away draw against the Cherries.

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