Town striker Freddie Sears has already taken the step-up from League One in his stride and believes the three clubs promoted from the third tier last season can all make an impact in the forthcoming Championship campaign.

Sears made a massive impact upon arriving from Colchester in a £100,000 deal back in January, netting nine times in the league from 14 starts and a further seven outings from the bench.

He shares the bookies’ view that big-spending Derby are obvious favourites for promotion next season.

He said: “Derby are always going to be strong and the three clubs coming down from the Premier League — QPR, Burnley and Hull — all have the parachute payments, so they’re going to be strong as well.

“But there is going to be plenty of competition, which is always the case in this league, and you can’t take anything for granted.

“There are three good teams coming up from League One — Bristol City, MK Dons and Preston — who are all well-equipped. I can see all three, but mainly Bristol and Preston, doing well.

“There is usually at least one club that comes up and has a really good season, like Brentford last season, but from our point of view we are just looking to get a good start, hit the ground running and try to be up there come the end of the season.

“We are encouraged by how we did last season. It was great to make the play-offs but we failed at the final hurdle and it makes you want to get there again. We’d like to go one step further, whether that means being in the top two or the play-offs again and actually winning them.

“I think everyone has come back feeling really refreshed. There’s normally a little bit of a hangover but the gaffer’s been good and everyone is ready for the new season.

“Our new signings have all settled in really well. It’s an easy group to fit into because the boys here are brilliant, from top to bottom.

“The staff are really good as well so it’s an easy club to fit into. Pits [Brett Pitman] has come in and looked really good, Ryan Fraser has come in and looked good, and Ainsley [Maitland-Niles] as well.

“It’s quite an easy group to mix in with and everyone is waiting for next Saturday at Brentford.”

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