Midfielder determined to improve upon last season...
Jeff Hughes hopes that extra attention to detail with fitness routines will help to improve his performances on the pitch this season.
Hughes, who netted 17 goals last term, has found the input of strength & conditioning coach Nick Ward very helpful throughout the close-season.
Ward arrived in the summer, bringing a wealth of experience to the role, having worked across a number of sports.
Hughes, along with a number of other players, have taken the extra step to make the most of his services through one-on-one programmes that made up a large part of pre-season.
Taking on board the likes of hydration, sleeping and eating patterns, and personalised workouts, last season’s top-scorer is feeling good ahead of League 1 opener against Crewe Alexandra.
“I’m quite boring and find all that sort of stuff quite interesting, he was telling us all about his time in Canada with the sleep doctor,” said Hughes.
“With me having two young girls, getting my sleep pattern right is important and there’s things that are new to me.
“He’s going to explain to me a bit more about that and how to get an hour here and there.
“He works with the rugby and he’s worked with the bobsledding team and he’s explained to me all the different ways that people train.
“Myself, Judgey and Bish have done a bit with him and the different techniques and it’s interesting, a new thing to learn.
“He’s gone through more things with us and given us individual programmes so he’s been very good.
“We’re talking about top athletes doing it, obviously it’s different sports, but it’s the same aspects of running - taking off, turning, twisting and running.
“They’re obviously at the top of their game as well and if you can learn a bit more to help then so be it.”
Hughes appeared as a second half substitute in the weekend’s Capital One Cup clash with Bradford City.
The midfielder could play a bigger part in the fixture with Crewe at the Alexandra Stadium. For ticket information, click here.
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