HEREFORD United first-team coach Richard Sneekes has praised the players for returning to the club in fine shape.
The Bulls began pre-season training last week and head off for a five-day trip to Spain next Saturday.
Although the new season is more than a month away, former West Brom midfielder Sneekes, appointed to the coaching staff following the departure of Dave Kevan, has been impressed with the squad.
The 42-year-old Dutchman said: “We’re only a week into pre-season and we are just letting them play and make mistakes at the moment because there’s a lot of rustiness to get out.
“But we’ll fine tune it over the next few weeks. It’s amazing how fit the players have kept themselves and that’s a credit to them and the management.
“Jamie Pitman and Russell Hoult have given me a great opportunity and I am pleasantly surprised about the fitness, willingness to work hard and the technical ability of the players.
“We’ve got a really good squad here and, hopefully, we can gel them together.”
Sneekes, who last played professionally in 2002, added: “Once you’re out of football, it’s very hard to get back in and I am grateful for the chance and, hopefully, we will get things right on the pitch.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here