After touching down in Austria on Saturday, United full back Scott Wiseman revealed it’s been straight down to business as the squad boost their fitness levels before the start of the new season.
Wiseman says the consistently warm temperatures have tested himself and his team-mates’ endurance levels to the maximum, but despite this he feels the training will prove a huge help come the commencement of the big kick-off on Saturday, August 6.Wiseman told The Iron PlayerHD: “It’s been tough, very tough.
“I think we knew it was going to be hard, but I didn’t think we realised how hard it was going to be. So it’s been a bit of a shock to the system, but it’s been good.
“It was a baptism of fire, because we didn’t expect it to be as hot as it was when we turned up, and from minute one when we set off for the run, it was warm straight away, so we knew it was going to be a tough day."
The Gibraltar international sustained a knee injury during the 2015-16 season, which ruled him out for the final two months, but he revealed his sole focus now is looking forward rather than backwards as he bids to win back his spot in the starting eleven.
“I’m glad I’ve been able to stay fit so far, with my injury towards the end of the last campaign. So I’m glad with the way things have gone,” he said.
“I’ll be looking to stay fit and trying to impose myself as much as I can on getting back into the starting eleven. It’s it up to me to try and get back in the team.
“I’ve got no problems whatsoever, and I’m ready to kick on now."
United play the first of two matches in Austria on Tuesday when they take on Union UNIS Gschwandt (5.30pm kick-off UK time), before rounding off their trip with a fixture against second division side FC Liefering (also 5.30pm kick-off UK time). Both will be good for fitness levels and also act as a barometer to where the Iron are at according to Wiseman.
“That’s what it’s all about now. We’ve done all the endurance-based stuff, and it’s about playing games and getting sharp,” he stated.
“They’ll be strong opposition for us, and it’ll be a good test to see just where we’re at."
See much more from Scott Wiseman on The Iron PlayerHD.
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