Eddie Lewis has insisted he has no plans to leave Derby following their relegation to the Championship.
American hoping to fire Derby back to Premier League
Eddie Lewis has insisted he has no plans to leave Derby following their relegation to the Championship.
The 33-year-old will be out of contract in the summer of 2009 but he believes he can play a key part in Derby's fight to bounce straight back up the Premier League.
He has helped Preston and Leeds to play-off finals in recent years and feels The Rams have a good chance to challenge for promotion.
"I would like to think my experience can come in useful. I am very familiar with the division and what it takes," the American told the
Derby Evening Telegraph.
"It is a big, long league and we will have quite a few players who have gone through the experience, and with whatever players are added, we will give ourselves every chance.
"I know the club will put a lot into coming straight back up. I think we will have a very good chance.
No rush
"I've still got one more season after this and we'll see how it goes. I would certainly like to stay in England longer.
"I know I am not getting any younger but I am in no rush to go home."
Lewis accepts that it is still important for Derby to pick up the five extra points they need to overtake the record low tally of a team in the Premier League.
Sunderland went down with 15 points in 2006. Derby have 11 with just five games of the season remaining.
"It is important to end the season as well as possible, that is very much one of the motivations," said Lewis.
"We want to get to 16 points and we want to get some wins."
