A determined Dugdale is after his starting place

Adam Dugdale is looking forward to the return to full training and having that chance to win his place back in Steve Davis’ starting line-up. The Crewe Alexandra centre-back knows that he has a job on his hands to displace Harry Davis and Mark Ellis, but he is determined to give it his best shot with some good performances in pre-season.

Dugdale made an emotional return for the final game of last season to take his place on the bench against Walsall after sadly losing his new born son in Wembley week.

Duggy is looking forward to getting himself fully fit and ready to challenge again and will lose his sad loss as a great inspiration for the future.

“I am looking forward to getting back into it and there are some really good games lined up in pre-season. With the likes of Blackburn, Villa and a Manchester United team, regardless of who they will be bringing to our place, they are going to all be a test, ‘says Duggy.

“We have also got a match with Celtic behind closed doors and that will be a great experience as well, to see their training ground and play against their top players. They are preparing for a Champions League qualifier so they are going to be a bit more advanced in their fitness than us.

“We then have a short tour of Cornwall with a game down there, so we will enjoy that. That will really see us get back into the swing of things.  Hopefully, the weather will be good and we can get some really good training under our belts.

“There are plenty of games, and that will give all the squad a chance to play and impress. We have some good opposition so it will be good to test yourself as a player and show the manager that you are ready for the new season.

Duggy added: “I want to give myself a strong platform in pre-season to show that I am fit and ready to challenge for my place again. I perhaps didn’t put as much pressure on as I should have to the two ahead of me, so I know it is up to me.”