The Rams senior squad completed its preparations for the new campaign with a 2 – 1 victory over Premiership outfit Aston Villa.
A strong squad missing only Mo Konjic and Jamie Vincent from those expected to start at the weekend came back from behind to secure victory.
All the weaknesses apparent last term seemed still to remain as Derby went behind to a Carlton Cole header from a dead ball situation equalized through Junior and won via a well directed header from captain Ian Taylor in the second period.
Taylor’s winner was cheered as loudly by the travelling Villa fans as by the home ones such was his rapport with a club that he had supported since a youngster before joining them from Port Vale and enjoying a long and fruitful career there.
At the same time there was differing news for two defensive players on the staff at Pride Park.
Dave Walton ended an unlucky period in his career by moving on to Shrewsbury Town after only three starts in Derby colours due in no small part to a horrendous catalogue of injury problems during his one and only season at the club.
Meanwhile the club was quick to play down reports in the national press that Liverpool were interested in adding keeper Andy Oakes to their roster to give them three experienced shot stoppers.
According to a club spokesman there had been no formal offer for the player so far.