Lee Cattermole is feeling fighting fit despite a gruelling start to pre-season.
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The dynamic midfielder is relishing the challenges posed ahead of the new campaign and embracing the strenuous nature of two-game weeks and multiple sessions per day.
Cattermole, 29, missed the majority of last season after undergoing hip surgery and speaking to safc.com he revealed that he’s been blighted by the injury for a number of seasons.
But after finally getting to the bottom of the issue, he’s raring to go and focussed on making sure the new season is a successful one.
“I didn’t realise how much I struggled with my injury and I’ve never really spoken about it.
“I reckon it’s been three or four years that I’ve struggled with my hip – and not knowing it was my hip to be honest – so to get pain free is great and I can feel my fitness levels coming up in training.”
He added: “I came back a week early from the summer so I’ve been going for a few weeks now, but I can feel my levels improving and I’m already looking forward to Saturday.
“This is a new challenge for me and for a lot of the players but it’s one that we’re going to rise to and meet full on.”
Cattermole also reflected on a 3-0 win over Livingston while recapping a tough but enjoyable start to pre-season, with togetherness top of the agenda.
“We won the game and we’ve kept a clean sheet – it’s been really tough but it’s been a great pre-season so far.
“We’re coming into games very fatigued but the fans are coming up in numbers and we really appreciate the support, so we’re running on empty and sometimes it’s tough but that’s also good for the mental side of it because grinding those games out is good for you.”
He continued: “There’s a great atmosphere amongst the squad.
“That [playing twice a week] comes down to the experience of the gaffer and he’s squeezed another game in against Hartlepool, but that will get us ready for the season.
“He’s drilling his ideas into us about what the league’s all about – you can see when it comes to second balls – but this is only the second camp and it’s been good, and like I said the atmosphere is great so let’s keep it going.”