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Derby manager Paul Warne, who aimed to sign 12 new players after leading the team to promotion in his second season, has brought in four midfielders and three forwards over the summer.

Mendez-Laing is confident that Derby will quickly adapt to their new level after being absent from the second tier for two years.

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“We’ve had some good additions to the squad and we’re starting to gel,” Mendez-Laing told BBC Radio Derby after scoring twice in a 4-3 friendly loss to League One side Barnsley.

“The plan was to get Derby back to the Championship. I’m so happy to be here and I can’t wait to be playing there with this club and group of players.

“There are some quality players at the big clubs in the Championship. If you turn the ball over, you might get punished a lot more.

“But we’ve got more than enough to be comfortable in the league.”

Now 32, Mendez-Laing says he is “very excited” to be back in the second tier for the first time since the 2020-21 season, having played in the division for Peterborough, Middlesbrough, and Cardiff City, as well as a stint in the Premier League with the Bluebirds in 2018-19.

“It’s been quite a while for me and I’ve been eager to get back there,” he said.

“I’ll play anywhere the manager wants me to play, but I think we all know that my most effective position is coming in from the wings.

“Pre-season has been tough, as it should be. You have to dig in to get fit. You build up that level of fatigue but it’s needed to be ready.”