George Thorne has targeted an extended run in the Derby County team in the remaining months of the Championship season after making his return from a serious knee injury.

The 22-year-old midfielder made his first competitive appearance of the campaign in the 3-2 win over Sheffield Wednesday yesterday, following a knee ligament injury suffered in pre-season last summer.

"When I was told that I would be starting, I didn't feel anything out of the ordinary," Thorne told the Rams' official website. "I still knew I had a job to do so I was concentrating on the task at hand. With that, it was simple for me to concentrate on the game.

"The fans have been brilliant with me ever since I came to Derby last season. I want to say a big thank you to them, my teammates, the staff and everybody that has supported me throughout this recovery.

"It was a really nice reception and I am grateful to that. We have got 14 games left now and I am going to do what I can to play a key part in trying to help Derby achieve their aims and pay those people back between now and the end of the season."

Victory for Derby saw them go two points clear at the top of the Championship as the sides around them all dropped points on matchday 32.