“The main thing is to get fitness in the legs”: PNE defender previews their last two pre-season matches
Preston North End’s players return to pre-season action this week.
Jordan Storey is looking forward to the prospect ahead as PNE play their two remaining pre-season friendlies this week before the new campaign gets underway.
North End will test themselves against League One promotion hopefuls as they visit Bradford City on Wednesday (7.30pm) and Stockport County on Saturday (3pm).
They will be the final opportunity for PNE’s players to impress manager Paul Heckingbottom before their season starts with the Carabao Cup tie against Huddersfield Town at Goodison Park on August 8.
Speaking to the club’s website, the defender said: “It’ll be good.
“The main thing is to get fitness in the legs and to work on stuff that we want to improve on and get better at, going into the start of the season.
“Again, we’ll be just trying to get as much as we possibly can out of all the boys and I’m sure we’ll put on a good show.”
The trip to Bradford will be PNE’s fourth warm-up match, with victory at Bamber Bridge followed by defeats against two more League One teams in Sheffield Wednesday and Cambridge United.
The latter came during the club’s overseas training camp, which saw the Deepdale squad dealing with the Spanish sunshine.
Putting in the hard yards amid soaring temperatures is something which Storey believes will stand North End in good test once the season kicks off.
“It was a good test, physically and mentally,” he added.
“The heat here is ridiculous, so I think it was good for us to play in these circumstances, these conditions, against a good League One side.
“It was a great test for us. You come over here to get fit, you come over here to get pushed, mentally as well, and I think that's what the gaffer’s done to us.
“Games like these are just money in the bank, ready for the start of the (Championship) season against Bolton.
“It’s good to go away with the boys. We’ve got a couple of new lads as well so it’s nice for them to be a part of it.
“It’s good to be with them for a solid week; train, go in the pool, socialise, so it’s a good week for us.”