BEN HARDING admits he is dreading pre-season training at the Cobblers – because his Achilles injury limited the amount of work he has been able to do in the past two months.
The midfielder missed the back end of last season with a heel problem that he initially attempted to play through but eventually forced him out of first-team action.
The injury did not require an operation, but since April, Harding has been spending most of his time in the gym with fitness coach Craig Smith, with the emphasis on strengthening the problem area and not the cardiovascular work he has traditionally undertaken between seasons.
“To be honest, I don’t usually dread pre-season because I tend to keep myself ticking over throughout the summer,” he said.
“I’ve always tried to come back at a decent level but it has been difficult to do that this year because I’ve been carrying the injury.
“So I am dreading it a little bit because I know I’m not going to be at the level I have been at in previous years.”
Harding admits it will be difficult for him to join the rest of the squad when they return to Sixfields for pre-season training next week, but hopes he will be fit enough to play a part in the friendly matches that begin at the end of July.
The 27-year-old was a key component of a side that climbed away from the wrong end of npower League Two last season to secure their place in the Football League for the forthcoming campaign.
“I’ve been in and out of the club all summer because I’ve been nursing the injury that I finished the season with,” said Harding.
“I might not be just right to join in the running for the first couple of days but after that I should be fine.
“I definitely want to play a part in the friendlies a bit later on in the summer and it will be nice to play some games and get some football under my belt.
“Craig and I have done a lot of sessions and they have been tough at times so I imagine the pre-season here this year is going to be a tough one.”