The season is fast approaching for Derby County and their boss, Gary Rowett, and the Rams kick off the 2017/18 Sky Bet Championship under the lights a week on Friday as they travel to relegated Sunderland.

It has been an interesting summer so far at Pride Park, with key men Will Hughes and Tom Ince departing for the Premier League, but Rowett bringing in several new faces, including the return of academy product Tom Huddlestone after a 12-year spell away from the East Midlands.

Another man to rejoin the club this summer is striker Chris Martin, who returns to Rowett’s squad having spent last season on loan at league rivals Fulham.

Martin has a point to prove at the club and in the division having almost aided the Cottagers to promotion last season via the play-offs, and will realise that a year of good form could help him realise his dream of playing top-flight football.

Martin scored ten for Fulham last season, and has impressed during his time at Derby, scoring 52 league goals in just over 100 appearances in Derby’s famous white strip.

The time has come for the player to continue his goalscoring antics with the Rams, and his performances could be the defining factor that separates the club from another season in the Championship, and a place in the top six.

At 28 years of age, Martin is in the peak of his career, and has the ability to break the 20-goal mark this season should he reintegrate into this new-look Rams line up.

Derby look solid at the back following the additions of Curtis Davies and Andre Wisdom, and if Martin finds the goals to fire the Rams up the table, fans could seriously begin to feel excited that their side are set for a top flight return after a long term absence.

How many goals do you think Martin can score this season, Rams fans?