Derby manager Gary Rowett will play to the strengths of Cameron Jerome to get the best out of their new striker in the push for promotion.

The 31-year-old has joined the Rams from Norwich and could be handed his debut in Friday night’s Sky Bet Championship clash against Bristol City.

Jerome helped the Canaries secure a return to the Premier League with some 21 goals during the 2014/2015 campaign – including the opener in a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in the play-off final at Wembley.

Rowett is in no doubt how to bring the best out of the much-travelled frontman, who had found himself on the fringes of Daniel Farke’s squad this season.

“We think that he will fit our style of play and some of the characteristics that you want, I think we always look at teams that play in a different way,” Rowett said on RamsTV.

“Norwich want a lot of build-up play, he’s been coming short an awful lot and I don’t think that is particularly his strength, so we have to look at ways that he might fit in to our style.

“He’s been promoted three times, so there is obvious knowledge of the standards that it takes to get out of this division so he will hopefully fit in seamlessly to the dynamic of our team.”

Derby’s consistency in the Championship with just two defeats over 20 matches has seen them climb to second place, albeit still some 10 points behind leaders Wolves.

Bristol City have seen their encouraging start to the campaign slowed by a run of five straight defeats in all competitions, despite a brave performance against Manchester City in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

Rowett, though, is expecting a tough encounter under the lights at Pride Park.

“It’s a crucial game for both sides on Friday,” he said.

“Lee Johnson has done a fantastic job this season and they should be applauded as a young team in this division that have kept a high standard.”

Robins boss Johnson, meanwhile, hopes his team will continue to get rewards for their attacking approach – which certainly left an impression on Man City counterpart Pep Guardiola and could prove an asset in recruiting new talent.

“I think people are potentially looking over the fence at Bristol City, from across Europe and throughout England and saying ‘that looks like a really good club to play your football’,” Johnson told BCTV.