Derby County defender Curtis Davies has insisted that the club should be aiming to challenge for promotion in League One during the 2022/23 campaign.

Despite a valiant effort last season, the Rams were unable to secure safety in the Championship as they finished 23rd in the league standings.

Following David Clowes' successful takeover deal, Derby have managed to engage in a great deal of transfer activity this summer as they have made 11 signings.

As well as securing the services of Haydon Roberts on a temporary basis, the Rams will be able to turn to the likes of Conor Hourihane, David McGoldrick, James Collins and James Chester for inspiration next season after convincing these players to seal permanent moves to Pride Park.

When you consider that the club's squad has been transformed during the current window, it will be fascinating to see who is given the nod to start for Derby in their clash with Oxford United on Saturday.

Having featured in all of their league fixtures last season, Davies is expected to line up against the U's.

Ahead of this fixture, Davies has admitted that Derby must be looking to fight for promotion in League One due to the quality of the players that they have signed.

Speaking to the Derby Telegraph, Davies said: "I think if we didn't think or didn't aim for promotion, then we don't deserve to be playing.

"We might as well not have signed those players.

"In my opinion, when you when come down to this level and managed to sign the quality that we have, along with the good young players that have played at Championship level and played 20 plus games at that level too, then if we manage to hold on to a few of the young lads that will have a bit of attention, then I cannot sit here and say our aim isn't promotion.

"You don't know how it's going to go through the season and you might get injuries and stuff like that, but I'd be lying to you if I said we're not in for promotion.

"That's got to be the goal for the club, the structure of the club, and the size of the club.

"But regardless of that, if we were any other football club, looking at the team and structure that we've built and the way we want to play, if it wasn't an ambition of ours, then we'd be cheating ourselves."

The Verdict

It is hardly a surprise that Davies is hoping to be part of a team that challenges for promotion as Derby are able to call upon the services of players that have the ability to make a difference at this level.

The 37-year-old could potentially play a key role for the Rams if he maintains his fitness as he was a stand-out performer during the previous campaign.

Davies made 1.2 interceptions and 5.3 clearances per game and won 4.4 aerial duels per fixture as he averaged a club-high WhoScored match rating of 6.96 in the Championship.

By replicating these displays in a lower division for the Rams, the defender may be able to help his side claim an impressive tally of clean-sheets during the opening months of the 2022/23 season.