Alex defender Ben Nugent says he cannot wait to get stuck into the new season.

Alex defender Ben Nugent says that the Crewe Alexandra have something to prove following relegation last season. The Railwaymen start their pre-season campaign with a trip to Buxton FC this evening and although it is the first of 9 friendly matches, the former Cardiff City centre-half says he cannot wait to get stuck into game time.

Nugent, who was arguably Crewe Alexandra’s top performer in the first half of the season has a fight on his hand to win his place back after falling behind in the pecking order towards the end of the season.

Nugent, 23, made 42 appearances during his debut season with the club, scoring his first goal with a splendid drive against Walsall back in September.

Ben told Crewe Alex PlayerHD: “I think we’ve all got our own agenda and something to prove after the disappointment of last season. We’re all excited to be back, there’s a bit of a buzz about the place.

“I think the break will have done us all good. We were in a little bit over the summer, just to keep on top of things to make sure we’re all ready to do the work. We all are excited to be back and getting stuck in.

“Most of the lads enjoy the hard work, which I think is important. There’s a few of the young lads which have come up, so we’ll have to find out about them. We’re all ready to get stuck in, get the hard work done and get fit. 

“We’ve got Buxton away in the first pre-season friendly. Those games are always tough no matter who you play pre-season. You’ve got to get the rustiness out of you and then hopefully we’ll be flying on all cylinders for Stevenage first game of the season.

“We need to make sure we don’t go too quick too early and the aim is obviously just to keep getting fitter and fitter as pre-season goes on until you’re at your peak for the first game.”

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