Oxford United’s players were back and ready to go today as they took their first steps towards a brand new season.
Decked out in their excellent new Puma training gear- black for the staff, blue for the players - The U’s headed for Abingdon School this morning for the first of two days of testing and preparation.
New faces Cameron Norman and Samir Carruthers, Armani Little, Brandon Taverner and Steven Johnson-Fikula were made to feel part of the group immediately while the five first-year pros, Niall Clayton, Aaron Heap, Matt Berry-Hargreaves, Dejon Noel-Williams and Albie Hopkins proudly joined in for their first day as professional footballers.
After 90 minutes of testing in the gym the squad went through a sprint session and a series of four minute runs in glorious weather, as Karl Robinson told us:
“It’s very scientific and a careful programme over the next few weeks but today was all about getting everyone back in, making the new faces feel at home and starting the hard work ahead of a successful season. We would like to thank Abingdon School- the facilities are excellent and everyone was really helpful.
“Players never really enjoy pre season but they know they need to get that basic level of fitness and sharpness and it was good to be back out there and to see everyone buzzing again.”
See Head of Physical Performance Scott Daly’s thoughts in the iFollow interview above
