It's been a gruelling four weeks on the training pitch
for the majority of the squad, but Jonny Evans feels the testing
regime has provided the perfect preparation for the new
campaign.
A three-week tour of North America and Mexico emcompassed daily
double training sessions and a handful of closely-fought matches
that yielded three wins from five.
The tour squad was joined by a host of familiar faces - returning
from both injury and extended summer breaks after the World Cup
- for Wednesday night's 7-1 demolition of the Airtricity
League XI and Evans believes the squad are in good shape ahead
of the 2010/11 campaign.
"The pre-season we’ve had so far has been really good and I think
everyone’s raring to go," he told MUTV. "It's been a bit
strange with the World Cup lads coming back so late, but the
youngsters who have trained with us have done well.
"The training sessions and fitness work the coaches have given us
seem to be paying off. I think a lot of us are feeling the benefits
of them now."
Also back in action in Dublin - and back among the goals - were
Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia, who have both completed
recoveries from hamstring and ankle
injuries respectively.
"It was disappointing to lose Michael when we did last season,"
adds Jonny. "We probably could have used him towards the end of the
season with his experience, grabbing goals in games for us.
"He was starting to really settle in when he got his injury as
well, so it’ll be nice to have him back, and Antonio gives us more
options. So things are looking good."