Dean Ashton is relishing being back in pre-season and has no qualms about the fact he has had a shorter break than most of his team-mates.
"Because I started my summer a bit later than everyone else I haven't had as long as I had hoped but I have managed to rest up as much as I can," said the 24-year-old striker, who was glad not to get a chance to rest until after his debut against Trinidad and Tobago on 1 June. "The experience with England was worth getting a shorter summer for as it is obviously one of my aims to be a regular with the international set-up."
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Ashton is also not worried about the intensity of pre-season training. He said: "It is nice to get back because everything is fresh and new. No one loves the first day of pre-season because you have been resting so you don't feel as fit. It is hard work to get back into it and you feel a bit stiff, but a few double sessions with the coaches and that is soon gone. Pre-season is always a tough time but after a few years in the game you know what to expect now. It is going to be hard but you have to get through it."
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