Dean Leacock wants to come back a better player after experiencing a full season of Premier League football for the first time.

The 23-year-old made nine top-flight appearances for Fulham spread over nearly three years before his move to Derby in August 2006.

But this season he has added another 23 outings for the Rams and now relegation back to the Championship has been confirmed, he wants to build on the experiences of 2007/08.

"This season has been a learning curve for me," he revealed in an exclusive interview with RamsWorld.

"I have played against some of the top players in the world and I have had a few good games, but a few bad games too.

"But I am young, I can only improve, and that is what I am trying to do.

"I have learnt a lot from what players do but obviously next season is going to be a lot different.

"There is a big difference between the Championship and the Premier League so I will try and take what I have learnt this season into next and hopefully come out on top."

Leacock played an integral role in last Saturday's 2-2 draw at Pride Park against his former club - which ultimately saw Derby relegated from the top-flight.

It was his shot deflected in by Tito Villa for the Rams' first of the afternoon and Leacock himself got an unfortunate deflection on Hameur Bouazza's volley that put Fulham 2-1 in front.

Villa soon levelled matters up and the Croydon-born defender felt the home side were worthy of all three points.

It wasn't to be but a draw took the Rams to 11 points as they look to beat Sunderland's 2005/06 tally of 15, the Premier League's lowest-ever.

"We knew from a few weeks ago that we were struggling and the gaffer has always said that we wanted to get past that 15-point mark," said Leacock.

"That is still the main aim - to restore some pride in the camp, with the fans, and that is what we are trying to do."

And though he isn't wanting to look too far ahead, Leacock is optimistic for the club's future.

Working hard for the final six games of the season is the first target, then it's time for a well-earned holiday before hitting the ground running ahead of 2008/09.

Paul Jewell is planning to shape his squad over the summer but Leacock wants to remain firmly in the boss's plans.

He added: "The gaffer has got players he wants to sign for next season but hopefully I can try and keep doing what I'm doing, and he'll like what he sees, and keep me on for next season."

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