Luke's Hard Training

WITH a punishing schedule of pre-season fitness testing awaiting Alan Pardew's squad over the next few days, Luke Chadwick appeared in a surprisingly buoyant mood as he reported back to Chadwell Heath this week.

But, as the 24-year-old winger explained, the positive atmosphere around the squad since that memorable afternoon in Cardiff refuses to be subdued and now that the squad is back in training Luke can't wait for the start of the season to roll around.

"When we won promotion the feeling was just fantastic," he explained, "and I don't think any of us wanted the season to end really. We would have gladly played the first Premier League game straight after the Final, we were all that excited.

"But I think the break has done us good because it was a very long season. Because of the Play-offs it was only a few weeks off, but it's important to recharge and make sure you're physically and mentally ready for the new season.

"All the lads seem really excited to be back, especially now that we're looking forward to playing in the Premiership.

"The start to the season is definitely going to be important for us. It's a tough start, but there are points to be had and we've got to go out and try to get some results on the board early.

"All of that will mean that we have to put in a really strong pre-season and make sure we're ready by the time the season kicks-off again when we play Blackburn Rovers at Upton Park."

Describing his first day of pre-season, Luke was happy with the first work-out of the new campaign. But the former Manchester United star knows that the hard work is still to come.

"We aren't going to be fooled by the first day's training," he joked. "The first day back is always about getting back into the swing of things and just easing your way into it.

"We're going to be doing physical testing over the next couple of days and that certainly won't be easy. Pre-season is always tough on the fitness aspect, but that's what its all about.

"The Premiership is a very strong League and if you aren't in peak physical condition then you'll get found out. But all the lads here are determined to work hard to make sure that we're ready."

Luke was one of the players who missed out on a place in the matchday 16 at the Millennium Stadium. But that has certainly not dampened his enthusiasm for the task ahead. In fact, it seems to have made the tricky midfielder even more determined to succeed.

"I was disappointed to miss out on a place in the Final," he admitted, "but this is a squad game and I feel very much part of what the Club achieved last season.

"Of course, I would have liked to play more games, and that's something I'm hoping to address going into the new season.

"I've played in the Premiership before and hopefully I can use my previous experiences to help the team this time around.

"It's a fantastic League, full of some of the best players in the world. As a professional, you want to test yourself on the biggest stages week in week out, and it doesn't come much bigger than the Premiership.

"Hopefully, I can put in some good work over pre-season, show the manager what I can do and force my way into the side for the start of the season."

The first day back is also a chance for the more established members of the squad to meet the new faces, and one in particular stood out for Luke - his former Manchester United team-mate Roy Carroll.

"It's great to have Roy at the Club," he insisted. "He's a great lad and an excellent goalkeeper, who not only has a lot of Premiership experience, but has also played in huge European and international games.

"I know him from my time at Manchester United and I think he'll turn out to be a really popular member of the squad."