The majority of United’s squad got another 45 minutes of pre-season football under their belt on Saturday, coming with a 2-1 turnover of Gainsborough Trinity at the Northolme.
Andrew Boyce notched his second start in as many games alongside Niall Canavan at the centre of defence, playing out the first half before boss Russ Wilcox made his changes, rotating the eleven at half time.The former Blues man enjoyed his role, playing against former team-mates but the focus again was squarely on fitness.
He told The Iron Player: “It was a good 45 minutes. The most important thing is fitness at the minute. It’s hot and we’ve worked hard so I think that’s what we got in the end.
“There’s quite a few of the lads still here that I know, five or six but there are some new lads, some younger lads and they did really well against us today. They look like they’ll have a half-decent season.
"We’re still working hard in the week, in the thick of pre-season. We’re in Monday for a double session. We’re all pretty fit, we’re just working towards that first game at Swindon.”
Injury to mainstay Dave Mirfin, who suffered cartilage damage in his knee, requiring a corrective operation, means that Boyce has been paired alongside Canavan. The centre-half is unwilling to take his current position at anything other than face value while keen to impress to stake his claim.
He added: “It’s been good. I know Niall (Canavan) is younger than me but he’s always talking. He’s a very good player and for his age.
“I don’t want to get into it too much. From a personal point of view, I just want to get on the pitch and do my best, the rest is the manager’s decision.”
United face both Lincoln City in the Senior Cup and Carlton Town in a friendly on Wednesday night. Decisions are yet to be made on squads to face each.
He continued: “We don’t know where I’m going to be. I’d like to be playing against Lincoln because I enjoyed my time there as well but we don’t know. Again, it’s the manager’s decision.”