Pearson: Fighting for place
Stephen Pearson is determined to fight for his place at Derby County as he works his way back to fitness.
The midfielder finished last season on loan at Stoke City and was tipped to leave Pride Park over the summer.
He turned down a loan move to Birmingham City, after a permanent deal fell through, while Nottingham Forest were also linked with a bid.
Pearson has not played a first-team game this term due to a groin injury, but the Scot is eager to help Paul Jewell's struggling Rams.
"Nobody likes being left out of the team. It is very disappointing, but the boys are working so hard," Pearson told the Derby Evening Telegraph.
"I didn't want to go on loan. I wanted my future sorting one way or another.
"It wasn't right for me at the time and so I am happy to stay here at Derby and work hard and do the best I can to get back in the side.
"I have only just got my fitness back so, hopefully, I can get a few more games and get my match fitness up and fight for my place."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Monday 9th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Barnsley vs Sheff Utd |
| Friday 20th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Swansea vs Derby |
| Saturday 21st November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Barnsley vs Cardiff |
| 15:00 | Coventry vs Crystal Palace |
| 15:00 | Doncaster vs QPR |
| 15:00 | Leicester vs Plymouth |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Nottm Forest |
| 15:00 | Reading vs Blackpool |
| 15:00 | Sheff Utd vs Peterborough |
| 15:00 | Watford vs Scunthorpe |
| 15:00 | West Brom vs Bristol City |
| 17:20 | Ipswich vs Sheff Wed |
| Monday 23rd November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Preston vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Bristol City vs Sheff Utd |
| 15:00 | Crystal Palace vs Watford |
| 15:00 | Derby vs Reading |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Swansea |
| 15:00 | Nottm Forest vs Doncaster |
| 15:00 | Peterborough vs Middlesbrough |
| 15:00 | Plymouth vs Barnsley |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 7th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Reading 1 - 1 Ipswich | |
| Plymouth 2 - 1 Doncaster | |
| Watford 2 - 0 Preston | |
| Newcastle 3 - 1 Peterborough | |
| Blackpool 4 - 1 Scunthorpe | |
| Sheff Wed 1 - 2 QPR | |
| Nottm Forest 1 - 1 Bristol City | |
| Leicester 1 - 2 West Brom | |
| Crystal Palace 1 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Swansea 3 - 2 Cardiff | |
| Friday 6th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 2 - 1 Coventry | |
| Tuesday 3rd November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| QPR 1 - 1 Crystal Palace | |
| Monday 2nd November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Utd 0 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Sunday 1st November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Cardiff 1 - 1 Nottm Forest | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| West Brom 5 - 0 Watford | |
| Ipswich 1 - 0 Derby | |
| Scunthorpe 0 - 2 Swansea | |
| Peterborough 1 - 2 Barnsley | |
| Preston 1 - 1 Crystal Palace | |
| Middlesbrough 0 - 1 Plymouth | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newcastle United | 16 | 33 |
| 2 | West Bromwich Albion | 16 | 31 |
| 3 | Cardiff City | 16 | 27 |
| 4 | Queens Park Rangers | 16 | 27 |
| 5 | Blackpool | 16 | 27 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 16 | 27 |
| 7 | Bristol City | 16 | 26 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 16 | 25 |
| 9 | Swansea City | 16 | 25 |
| 10 | Middlesbrough | 16 | 24 |
| 11 | Preston North End | 16 | 24 |
| 12 | Watford | 16 | 24 |
| 13 | Crystal Palace | 16 | 22 |
| 14 | Sheffield Wednesday | 16 | 17 |
| 15 | Sheffield United | 15 | 17 |
| 16 | Coventry City | 16 | 17 |
| 17 | Derby County | 16 | 17 |
| 18 | Barnsley | 15 | 17 |
| 19 | Scunthorpe United | 16 | 17 |
| 20 | Doncaster Rovers | 16 | 15 |
| 21 | Plymouth Argyle | 16 | 15 |
| 22 | Reading | 16 | 14 |
| 23 | Ipswich Town | 16 | 12 |
| 24 | Peterborough United | 16 | 11 |
Sunderland fan Lucinda Gittins was strutting her stuff in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Catch every game, every goal from the Championship this season... right here on skysports.com!
Peter Beagrie expects a contrast of styles when Cardiff and Swansea clash at the Liberty Stadium.
Sheff Utd make the short trip to Oakwell on Monday when they face Barnsley in a Yorkshire derby.
Jon Stead believes moving off the foot of the Championship at the weekend has given Ipswich a "little boost".
Darren Pratley has set his sights on winning a new deal at Swansea after inspiring them to victory over Cardiff.
Marcus Bent is adamant that Gordon Strachan is the right man to lead Middlesbrough to promotion.
Sheff Utd have yet to decide if Chris Morgan will be allowed to attend Monday's trip to Barnsley.