Workington Town forward Alex Szostak says he can’t wait to get started with pre-season training next month after missing the club’s preparations last year.

Szostak missed the majority of the 2015 season due to work commitments before re-signing for Town. The Scotland international went on to make seven appearances for the club after rejoining in July.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “You’re always a bit apprehensive going it to it because you know you’re going to get flogged.

“It can be quite tough because of the time off that you have because you want to enjoy it but you also need to be careful with how you look after yourself.

“I had a lot of responsibilities away from rugby last season but now I’m ready to get back in things properly.

“It did feel a little bit like I was playing catch up when I returned because you can train as much as you want away from the club but you can never train for match fitness.

“I like to keep a good level of fitness off the field and Chris Murphy [strength and conditioning coach] has given us some advice for the off-season.”

With the vast majority of Workington’s squad staying at the club after the 2015 season, Szostak says he is looking forward to starting the new year with the same group of players already at the club.

“We are all looking to start the season strongly,” he continued. “There’s been a slight change in personnel but the core of the team is still there.

“There was the thought of being the new guy at the club when I rejoined but all the lads get behind you and you feel like you’re in straight away.

“That’s really important for any new player that joins the club because you need team support both on the field and off it.

“You get individual efforts during games but you need to know that your teammates are going to be with you while you’re out there defending as a unit.”