Steve McClaren delighted with "unique" Derby County squad

Steve McClaren has described his Derby County squad as "unique" ahead of their Championship playoff semi-final against Brighton & Hove Albion this week.

McClaren took over from Nigel Clough at the end of September with Derby in 14th place after an indifferent start to the campaign without a home win.

Since then, the Rams won 14 of their 19 games at the iPro Stadium, eventually finishing the campaign in third place, eight points adrift of Burnley in the automatic promotion places.

Speaking of his squad to the club website, former England boss McClaren said: "They're a unique set of players and their togetherness is key.

"There's no superstars if you like and no big players and if there are any, it has been knocked out of them."

Derby finished 13 points better off than playoff opponents Brighton, who snuck into the top six in dramatic late fashion on the final day of the season.

The first leg of the semi-final takes place on the South Coast on Thursday night before the return leg in Derby on Sunday evening.