Pre-season (mark II) - - The official of Jamie McClen

Pre-season (mark II) - 23/10/2002

I’m feeling very fit at the moment, and that’s been down to Windy (Paul Winsper), the club fitness trainer who’s been killing me with one to one training over the last few days. After the reserve game at Bradford I picked up a niggle in my hamstring, I had shooting pains going through the muscle and it was obvious that something wasn’t right. Apparently it’s been caused by a problem in my lower back, so the first thing I had to do was to rest.

Windy then put me a fitness plan and the hard work started! Initially it was just swimming, but then it progressed to running and sprinting – double sessions. I wasn’t getting finished until 3.30 to 4.00pm and I tell you it was hard work – just like a second pre-season but only three months after I started the last one! I’m not complaining though, I feel great now and yesterday I had my first session back with the squad. It’s difficult when you’re not featuring in the first team, but atleast I’m being looked after here, and now I’m back on my feet trying to prove a point or two.

It’s a big game tonight, certainly a tough one! They’ve brought the likes of Del Piero, Davids, and Nedved with them so it looks like they’re taking the game seriously. Hope you enjoy it!