Wayne Rooney vows to fight to get Derby into Championship play-offs ahead of debut

WAYNE ROONEY says he is ready to ‘fight, work and battle’ to get Derby into the play-offs this season.

The ex-England captain is set to make his long-awaited Rams debut on Thursday night at Pride Park against Barnsley

It will also be the first time Rooney, 34, has played in the Championship after leaving MLS side DC United.

His signing was criticised by some after he was handed the number 32 shirt - in a deal with Derby's bookmaker sponsors 32Red.

He admits it lacks the quality of the Premier League, but knows how competitive the second tier is.

But he hopes he can match owner Mel Morris’s ambitions and get Derby into the top fight as soon as possible.

Rooney told Sky Sports' EFL Podcast: “What excites me about the Championship? I don’t know yet!

“It’s a league I’ve always watched. But it’s different to the Premier League, there’s more games for a start.

“Quality wise, it’s probably not as good as the Premier League.

“But it’s a physical league and I know how a lot of these games go. You have to fight and work and battle to get results.

“But I’ve no problems with that. I know what to expect.

“It’d be a similar standard to MLS.

“There’s probably a bit more quality in the Championship squads but the MLS has better individual players.

“MLS is a competitive league and sometimes that gets looked down on in England.”

Rooney says he wants to inspire a run of results that can lift Derby into the top six - and beyond.

He added: “When I spoke to Mel Morris, he told me of the ambition of the club and trying to get back to the Premier League.

“Add to that the experience of working with Philip Cocu and that was all part of it.

“But I’m at the stage where I just want to be playing now. Football is the motivation, my body feels ready to play.

“As long as I can benefit the team, I’ll carry on. I’ve been watching the team and I think we’re better than how we’ve been performing.

"We need to improve from where we are in the table. We need to climb and certainly aim for the play offs.

"I’ve stayed in contact with the manager since joining the club.

“The opportunity came up when Mel spoke to my agent and we listened to the offer.

“But the big thing was me making the transition from player to coach and having that coaching role here. That was a big pull.

“I feel I can add quality and experience to the team. There’s plenty I can offer to help us do better.”

Rooney still does not know what will be his main role in the side.

But with Krystian Bielik being sent off against Charlton, Cocu will need Rooney more than ever.

Rooney added: “Where am I playing? I don’t know, ability-wise I feel I can play different positions which I’ve done throughout my career.

“It depends how the manager wants us to play as a team, I’ll play striker, No10, midfield.

“It has frustrating training and not been able to go out and play.

“The only time that happens is when you’ve been injured and you’re in the last week of coming back.

“I love playing and watching, I love. Being around football and being involved in it. It’s what I’ve always done from a very young age.

“I’ve been with players who don’t like football at all and see it as a way of earning a living.

"I’ve been fortunate doing what I love.

“I don’t think I’ve missed training for two years, I’ll play as long as my body can allow me."