ADAM DOYLE is dreading the start of pre-season training.

Kingfield’s resident joker was one of the first to pen a new deal with the champions back in May, but has cast major doubts over his own fitness after a month of indulgence away from football.

The centre-back said: “I’m not looking forward to going back – I love having Saturdays off.

“I wouldn’t exactly say I’ve been keeping myself trim over the summer, I’m a bit like Ricky Hatton between fights.”

Doyle was at the heart of Woking’s double-winning campaign last season and after convincing Garry Hill of his commitment to the Cards, was delighted to put pen to paper on a new contract.

But he added: “I just hope our first game isn’t Barrow away. It’s always exciting to see the fixture list when it’s announced so I can start planning my days off work and get my holiday sorted for those long away trips.

“Rightly so the gaffer wanted 100 per cent from everyone. He was aware that it would be difficult for me in the Premier and I just assured him that I can do the travelling and put theeffort in, he was satisfied with that.

“Once that was sorted it was a no-brainer to sign again. It’s the highest level I’ve ever played at, I want to test myself and the manager thinks I’m good enough to at least give it a go so it was an easy decision once the work situation was sorted.

“It’s a bit weird not seeing the lads three or four times a week because I spend a lot of time with them during the season and there is a camaraderie that exists among the players.

"I’ve not completely lost touch with everyone and it will be nice to get back and see the boys, that’s something I am looking forward too!”

Hill recently revealed he is still in the hunt for a new left-back, suggesting Doyle will operate from his favoured central position next season – a prospect the versatile defender is looking forward to.

“I’ve played against the new signings Jack Parkinson and the lad Pires, so I know them vaguely as players and they seem like good lads – it will be great to forge a good relationship with Jack at centre-half.

“It’s an exciting time because they are great players and I think Garry Hill has done very well to snap them up.

“I think he’s quite right not to rush to bring players in, there is plenty of time to do that yet.

“A lot of lads leave it quite late in pre-season to find a club so I’m sure he’ll be bringing in quality as the summer goes on – it’s very exciting.  You saw last season how much the club gelled right from the fans up to those in the boardroom.

“Everyone was pushing in the right direction and I think it showed, especially in performances.

“The whole feel around the club was certainly a lot better than it was the year before.

“That is something the manager and Steve Thompson have brought into the club and players want to play in that kind of environment.”