Derby County are set to kick off a Championship campaign for the first time in three years when they take on Blackburn Rovers in August.
The Rams, mired down by their ownership troubles, were relegated in the 2021/22 season and had to endure the challenges of League One.
Paul Warne managed to earn promotion at the second time of asking, bringing Pride Park back into the second tier.
Derby have missed a few key changes in the Championship during that spell of absence, not least one rule switch which may impact transfer decisions.
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Championship rule change
Since the Rams have been out of the Championship, the division saw one key rule change last season to bring them in line with the Premier League.
That is an increase in the number of players named in the matchday squad and the substitutions bench for a game.
The regulation seven sub options have been increased to nine, adding another two players to make a matchday squad of 20 players.
While that change was made last season, it is one that Derby have yet to encounter, with League One and League Two sticking with seven substitutes.
It comes following the change to allowing five substitutes within a match, increased from three but sticking with the usual three stoppages to make those moves.
That presents a new challenge to Warne, one that the Derby boss will have to keep in mind when making transfer decisions.
Derby transfer decisions
So with that squad change in mind, it may tempt Derby to keep some more of their players that they otherwise wouldn’t.
Promising young striker Dajaune Brown has been linked with a loan move, but could find a place in the squad this season.
Fringe players such as Tyrese Fornah or Conor Washington may get more of a chance to impress rather than be kept out of the team.
Then there’s a consideration over potential signings and whether the Rams need more incomings before the end of the window.
With a tough season ahead, perhaps they need all they can to overcome some of the quality present in the Championship with a deeper squad.