Darren Bent says Derby County are benefiting from a tough start to pre-season, insisting that the squad arrive in Portugal in a great position to build up ahead of steam.

The Rams arrived at their Algarve training-base ahead of their seven-day stay in the country as the club’s preparations for the new season are taken up another notch.

Bent, the 32-year-old forward, is familiar with the facilities Derby are staying at over the next week.

The former England international says the Rams will be working at a top quality facility, insisting he and the rest of the group are excited to see how their stay in Portugal unfolds.

Bent told Rams Player HD: “It’s a nice place. I have been here before a few years ago and you forget how nice it is.





“Portugal is a beautiful country and is certainly on a high at the moment after the Euros. The training facilities are lovely, top quality, and we’re all happy to be here.





“We have had seven days of pure hard work already as it is and it has been a lot tougher than the last pre-season.





“We’re all benefiting from that, we have had discussions in the changing room after sessions and we have all said that we feel in a great place.





“This week is now about stepping that up.





“I was in a couple of days early before we were due to report back and the same can be said for a lot of the boys in the squad at the moment.





“Everyone is up for it, everyone is raring to go and we are prepared for a good season this year.”

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Bent has given his thoughts on Derby’s new coaching set-up and believes the appointments of Nigel Pearson, Chris Powell and Iñigo Idiakez have brought an exciting feel to the club ahead of the new season.

He added: “It’s completely different really on the coaching front. Nigel Pearson, Chris Powell and Iñigo Idiakez are three new faces in the camp.





“I know Chrissy Powell from our time together at Charlton, so I know what he is all about.





“Nigel comes here with a great reputation, a great Manager for getting out of the Championship and did a great job at Leicester. It’s a very exciting time for Derby County and I am happy to be part of it.”

Bent has also been speaking about his own personal goals ahead of the 2016/17 campaign.

Having largely featuring as a substitute over the course of the 2015/16 season, the forward has returned for pre-season ‘hungry’ to make up for lost time.

“We have had three seasons which have been a little bit disappointing, but we have come back so focused and hungrier,” Bent said. “That’s something that the Manager shares that.





“The hunger has never left me. I don’t want to have another season like I had last year, so I have back early, in good condition, and I am raring to go.





“I am determined. The last couple of years haven’t worked out how I had hoped, but this season I am determined to make up for that.”





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