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" I'm very much looking forward to the new season, we've been back since last Thursday so we've had a good week under our belts. Now we are all looking to get 45 minutes here tonight just to progress pre-season along. Coming back pre-season now it's a lot more football based quicker than it used to be, you used to come back in and you used to have do a week or ten days of running before you got back into the shape that you left with the year before.
" The lads have all come back fit but we have certainly been made fitter in the last week. Greg (Abbott) has had a few running drills that he has come up with, probably not his but he'll say they are. We've had a hard week and this is the end of it really, we'll have a good 45 minutes tonight and then get a weekend of relaxation, get the feet up and get prepared for a full week in Scotland next week.
" It's not just all down to the games, while the games are the end product obviously you want to come in and train and train well and get your fitness up there. Then do you what you can in the games for yourself and for the manager, I'm sure that is what 22 players, and whoever else comes on and is involved, is going to be trying to do tonight. I think tonight is more about getting the legs back and getting used to playing football in game situations again though. Obviously trying to do the right things but getting through 45 minutes with no injuries basically.
" It's got to be gradual, you have to come back in some condition where you are ready to go into some running and bits and pieces with the ball pretty much straight away. Then after a week or so looking to get involved in the game which is what we are doing tonight. It's a gradual process but everyone is fit and well at the minute and let's hope it is that way come the end of the night. Jeff (Smith) has gone for the red look tonight, which he had on in training this morning, and to be honest I am very surprised that he has reproduced them again tonight. Hopefully he'll come out smelling of roses by the end of the first-half.
" We've all obviously been at different clubs and once you get through that initial first two days where you come in and you might not know, you might know one person or you might not know anybody. Then it's pretty much as you were really, the lads forget you are a new face and on we go. They (Josh Gowling and Ben Williams) have blended in nicely, Chris (Howarth) and Ben have got a good relationship, they are working hard together. Josh has been good as well so I'm sure they'll be looking forward to their debuts tonight. "