‘Unfinished business’ for Hendrick and Derby

Jeff Hendrick says Derby County will not take the hangover of their excruciating play-off defeat into the new Championship season, with the Ireland midfielder insisting their concession of a last-minute goal at Wembley in May will be used to spur them on to promotion.

Steve McClaren’s team are among the favourites in the ultra-competitive second tier once again and with history in their favour — five of the past 10 play-off final losers have gone on to win promotion the following season — Hendrick is quietly confident they can continue the trend and reach the Premier League for the first time since the ill-fated 2007/08 campaign.

“It’s unfinished business now really,” Hendrick says. “Obviously there was disappointment but we’ve relaxed, had time to get over it and we are ready to get back into the swing of things, hit the ground running and start the season well.