Utrecht to give Derby first major workout (with video)
Niggling injuries to a number of players have interrupted Jewell's planning for the new Championship campaign but the manager will want to bed in much of the team he plans to send out to face Doncaster Rovers on August 9.
New strikers Nathan Ellington and Rob Hulse started Tuesday's victory over Rushden & Diamonds and are expected to face Utrecht.
Paul Green and Polish international Przemyslaw Kazmierczak have formed the central midfield pairing in the last three friendlies while centre-back Martin Albrechtsen has started all the pre-season fixtures.
Alan Stubbs is now fit to partner Albrechtsen and the two played together for almost 70 minutes at Rushden.
Asked about the team to take on Utrecht, Jewell said: “Sometimes injuries dictate and unfortunately for quite a lot of the pre-season we have not been able to get the whole squad fit.
“We could probably do with another two or three weeks but the real thing starts a week on Saturday.
“The Utrecht game will be different to the Doncaster game. Utrecht will play a different system than most teams do in the Championship.
“It is an important game, but it is only important as regards to preparation towards Doncaster.
“Obviously, we want to get off to a good start but it is a long season and one swallow won't make a summer. The most important result is what we do over the 46 matches.”
Utrecht finished 10th in last season's Eredivisie, Dutch football's top division.
They are managed by Wim van Hanegem who was one of the best midfield players of his day and played for Holland in the 1974 World Cup final. He also managed Feyenoord and was assistant to national team boss Dick Advocaat between 2002 and 2004.
Utrecht beat TOP Oss 6-2 in their most recent friendly. Derby lost 2-0 to TOP Oss in their opening pre-season game on July 11.
Derby defender Claude Davis could return to full training on Monday.
Davis has not figured in any of the friendlies because of a knee injury but the Jamaican international has been working with the conditioning coach for the past 10 days to build his fitness.
Jewell says Scottish midfielder Stephen Pearson is about two weeks away from full fitness.
His proposed move to Birmingham City fell through because of a groin injury.
OPEN DAY: Derby County fans were able to watch the team training at an open session at Pride Park yesterday (see video). Here Kris Commons (left) is shadowed by Miles Addison.
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