Winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing anticipates a week of “sleepless nights” as Derby County prepare to try and secure promotion on the final day of the season.
Mendez-Laing scored the winning goal at Cambridge United on Saturday to put the Rams on the brink of a championship return.
Derby need just a point against League One bottom Carlisle at home on Saturday to secure promotion after two seasons in the third tier.
“It’s exciting,” said Mendez-Laing BBC Radio Derby.
“There will be sleepless nights thinking about the next game – we can’t wait.
“We are confident, we know what we have there [the changing room] and what better place to do that than Pride Park?”
‘A great honor’
Mendez-Laing’s winner at the Abbey Stadium was his 10th goal in all competitions this season and secured his 100th appearance for the club in memorable fashion.
Derby twice hit the woodwork, with Mendez-Laing seeing a shot come off the post, before the winger scored the goal that could define their season.
The Rams’ victory at Cambridge also saw Paul Warne’s side set a new club record for away wins in a league season with 13.
“It’s always nice to be remembered for this kind of thing, but we need to achieve the ultimate goal of automatic promotion,” Mendez-Laing said.
“Being part of something that could be very special from now on will be a great honor.”
But Mendez-Laing says the potential success that awaits the East Midlands club when they face the worst team in the division does not distract them.
“We can’t take anything for granted in this league,” he said.
“We have to have the right mindset and attitude – we have a job to do and hopefully we can get it done.”
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