​BEN Pringle says he is “loving every minute” of his first season with Derby County.

The 20-year-old was signed from Blue Square North side Ilkeston Town in the summer.

The midfielder was earmarked as one for the future but has become a fairly regular fixture in the first-team squad this season.

He has been limited to one senior start – in the Carling Cup defeat at Rotherham United – and four substitute appearances in the Championship but this has already exceeded expectations.

“To be fair, when I first came, I didn’t really expect to have anything to do with the first team,” said Pringle (pictured), whose most recent senior action came last month at West Bromwich Albion, where he was once a trainee.

“So it’s been a bonus every time I’ve been involved and I’ve loved every minute of it.

“Just being around the squad and training with the first team lads improves you all the time and you are always learning.

“The lads have been playing really well, so to get in and around the team has been a good achievement for me.

“The players that are in the team have all been there and done it, so for me, it is just a case of being patient and wait for the right time to come along.

“Obviously, I haven’t had that much time on the pitch – five or 10 minutes here and there – but as soon as you get on, you want more.

“If they think I am ready, I will be more than happy to play the full 90.”

Pringle came to Pride Park on a one-year deal but Nigel Clough saw enough in the player to offer him a 12-month extension shortly before Christmas.

“As soon as I arrived, I just tried to do my best,” Pringle added.

“I didn’t know what it was going to be like but I thought, ‘The sky’s the limit and we’ll see what happens’.

“The first couple of weeks were tough after making the step up to full-time football but I think I’ve done all right.

“Getting the new contract has made me a bit more relaxed now and I know I have got a bit of time here and I’m not under any pressure.”

Pringle has been a regular fixture in the Rams’ reserve team, who currently top the totesport.com League Central Division.

“Obviously, all the lads who aren’t in the first team want to win this league,” he said.

Pringle captained the reserves in their most recent outing – a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Alfreton Town’s Impact Arena – and played alongside on-trial John Rooney, the  brother of England and Manchester United star Wayne – in central midfield.

“I thought he did very well,” said Pringle. “He is still only a young lad but you could see by what he did that he is a good player.

“As a young lad, you are hungry and want to do as well as you can. For me and him, it’s good to have an opportunity to better ourselves.”