Scunthorpe manager Russ Wilcox has expressed his delight following a morning of pre-season testing on Tuesday.
The players returned to Glanford Park to undergo a yo-yo test in order to ensure they’d all kept themselves in shape since the end of the last campaign before full pre-season training begins on 3 July.And Wilcox admitted he was thrilled with how the session went.
He told The Iron Player: “The players did amazingly well - I’m absolutely delighted.
“We set the bar at level 17 for the yo-yo test and everybody got through to level 18. A few even got up to level 20 so it just shows you that they’ve looked after themselves over the summer.
“That’s the reason behind the testing day but nobody needs to come in again now before pre-season so the players have nine days off before we get firing again on the 3rd.”
The squad were all given off-season plans to stick to during the off-season and Wilcox was glad to report that all players looked in good shape ahead of United’s upcoming League One campaign.
The manager was also pleased to see that all the players have now recovered from minor injuries picked up towards the end of last season.
“They get an off-season but you can’t monitor players 24/7 so it’s important to get them back in the building and have a look at them,” he continued.
“They all look in great shape and that’s why I’ve shortened pre-season a little bit to just five and a half weeks.
“I think the players usually keep themselves in good shape and they’ve proved that today.
“All the little niggles picked up last season have gone now and I looked at Gary McSheffery who had a spell out with his hamstring injury and came back in for the last game (of last season) and he’s finished in the top five in the run today so fantastic credit to him.”
One player who impressed more than most in the fitness test was youngster Luke Hornsey.
The midfielder has yet to be offered a new deal by the club but has been invited to train with the squad in order to prove that he deserves a new contract and Wilcox stated that there’s still a chance for him to remain at Glanford Park.
Wilcox added: “I always say to players, don’t fail for application and attitude and I think his performance in the test tells you everything about him.
“Obviously he was disappointed not to get a deal but there’s still a chance for him and he’s certainly giving himself a head start so massive credit to him for that.
“He’s desperate to stay at the football club and that’s the kind of thing I want from the players, to work and put a shift in but I’m delighted with the whole group today.
“I’m delighted with the results and just pleased with how the day has gone.”
See much more from Russ Wilcox on The Iron Player.