Defender Dean Leacock feels that the hard work during the summer will allow him to hit the ground running this pre-season.
Leacock was one of the Magpies’ best performers last term at the heart of the back four and is determined to pick up where he left off.
The day one examinations highlighted that the former Derby County man was in top shape, as he was one of the last men standing in the yo-yo fitness test.
Leacock is already counting down the days to pulling on the black and white stripes again, starting with next week’s behind-closed-doors encounter with Steaua Bucharest.
“Fitness wise I’m okay and the yo-yo test justified that I’ve kept myself in good shape,” he told Magpie Player.
“I’m expecting the rest of the week to be tough with a lot of running, though there’ll be a bit of football because we’ve got a game next week.
“The more games you have, the fitter you get but when you do just two weeks of non-stop running it can get quite draining on you.
“With a game literally around the corner the balls have to be out quite quickish and as players you look forward to that.
“The hard work will get that fitness up and hopefully we’ll be ready come 3 August.”
Leacock is looking forward to more players arriving at Meadow Lane ahead of the new season but is confident in the current roster’s ability.
“We’ve got a decent squad anyway but obviously there’s a few areas that we need to improve on,” he continued.
“The gaffer knows that and he’s come out and said it, but he’s brought in a few staff members and they all seem enthusiastic.
“Hopefully he can bring in a few players over the coming weeks so the squad will look even stronger.”
Check out the full interview with Leacock on Magpie Player by clicking here.
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