Southampton: Saints announce friendly with Derby County

Southampton have added a further test to their pre-season schedule with a trip to Pride Park to face Derby County on 21st July.

Now permanent Southampton manager Mark Hughes will take his side to the Midlands after returning from China, where they are due to play two games over a two-week stay.

The first match of their plans is a clash with Schalke 04 on Thursday 5th July before they meet Jiangsu Suning six days later on Wednesday 11th.

According to the Daily Echo, the Saints will follow the Derby game by travelling to France for a further training camp and are lining up two more friendly matches whilst there.

Derby recently announced former England international Frank Lampard as their new manager. They finished sixth in the Championship last season but were knocked out of the play-offs by eventual victors Fulham, and previous manager Gary Rowett would then leave for Stoke City.

Next: Key spells for Saints in 2018/19

More from Saints Marching

• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
• It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
• Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

The last time the two sides met was in the 2011/12 season as Saints were promoted to the Premier League. A 1-1 draw away from home was followed up with a 4-0 victory at St Mary’s for Nigel Adkins men.

Four clashes between the Saints and Rams came in 2006/07 as both qualified for the play-offs. Derby would eventually win 4-3 on penalties after the second-leg after a breathless tie ended 4-4 on aggregate.

The earlier friendlies are likely to provide a good chance for fringe players and youth prospects to impress Mark Hughes with four senior players potentially still away at the World Cup.

New signings are also likely to come in before pre-season preparations begin and plenty of game time will give opportunities for new partnerships to form.

The team will hope to have worthwhile training under their belts before the Premier League season begins on 11th August with a home clash with Burnley.