Chairman of football Adam Pearson believes Derby face a tough start to the new Championship season.

The Rams host Peterborough on the opening day of the campaign on August 8 before travelling to Glanford Park to face another newly-promoted club in Scunthorpe the following weekend.

"I think if you asked any team in this division they would have wanted to avoid the newly-promoted clubs early on. They are always packed with enthusiasm and carry a momentum with them that comes from winning games," Pearson told the club`s official website.

"I have to admit that, on a strictly personal level, Peterborough is the one team I didn`t want to draw on the opening day. Darren Ferguson and Barry Fry have done an outstanding job at London Road and I am certain they will present a challenge for teams not just on the opening day, but all season."