Paul Clement has stated that Derby County can challenge for automatic promotion from the Championship in his debut season in charge.

The 43-year-old has taken up his first management role after being appointed as Derby head coach on Monday, replacing the sacked Steve McClaren.

The Rams spent seven months in the top six last season before dropping out in the final weeks of the campaign, and Clement hopes that he can improve on that.

"Straight away our aim is the top two, automatic promotion, and there's no reason why that can't be achieved," the Derby Telegraph quotes him as saying.

"Along the way we will need a bit of luck, of course, because it can be difficult with injuries. With the addition of a couple of extra players I believe we can be fighting for the automatic places.

"The team has done well in the last few years and came close to achieving promotion. We'll be looking for that bit extra now to get us there. The basics are there and that's part of my decision to come to the club."

Derby reached the playoff final in 2013-14, where they lost to Queens Park Rangers.