Oxford United players were back in the familiar routine today as they reported back for testing ahead of a full pre-season training schedule.
The first team squad were back at their Cowley training base this morning for Max Heart Rate tests, power, balance and full medical check- ups under the watchful eye of the U’s’ medical staff, headed by Andrew Proctor.
Proctor told us:
“The players were tested regularly throughout last season and we know their capabilities. The days of them overdoing things in the close season are long gone. They all had a specific programme to follow and most of them have been reporting in over the summer as well, doing a few days training and regular gym work, which you can tell from the results today. It was a really impressive first day.
“It was also good to see Wes Thomas out there. He has worked very hard and been in all summer to make sure that when this day came he was able to join in fully. Aaron Martin, who suffered a similar Achilles injury a few weeks after Wes is also making good progress and shouldn’t be too far behind.
“They will have testing today and tomorrow then there is a more intense day on Friday where they will work very hard: they all know that it is for their own benefit in the long term even if they moan about the hard work on the day!
“They will be back in on Saturday as well, then next week it’s the first full week, building up to the first friendly at Oxford City on the Saturday and then a week of hard work in Portugal.”