Dundee United’s Darren Dods will relish the rigours of pre-season training after being inactive for the first summer in 18 years.
The veteran centre-half had a cartilage operation in May which ruled him out of the Scottish Cup final and ensured that he would be undergoing rehab instead of embarking on his usual running regime during the close season.
Now, he is simply determined to enjoy the campaign ahead.
“I started back jogging last week,” he said. “I have now upped the running this week and after another fortnight, I hope to start back to be ready for the games.
“I did a wee bit on the bike when I was on my family holiday in Dubai and have been working away in the gym but it is just great to be back running again.
“I have taken bad as this has been the first summer in 18 years that I have been injured. I normally do my own bit during the close season but I suppose I have been lucky with injuries as this is the first time in ages I have just been stuck in the gym.”
Although Dods missed out on the cup final, United had hoped that the SFA would award a medal to him and others such as Paul Dixon who had played a vital role in helping the club reach Hampden.
But those hopes were dashed when the game’s ruling body insisted only the cup final squad would receive a gong.
However, Dods insists he is not bitter over the decision.
“I was quite hopeful that me and Paul Dixon who had played in the earlier rounds might receive a medal,” he said.
“But the SFA decided that only the 16 players who took part in the final would receive one. We got our hopes up a bit but it is just one of those things.
“It was disappointing but hopefully we can have another run in the cup again next season. There is also Europe to look forward to and I cannot wait for the draw which is six weeks on Thursday.”
Dods captained United 24 times last season and is ideally placed to give his opinion on the club’s newly-appointed skipper Jon Daly.
“Jon has been at the club for a long time now and he gets on well with all the boys,” Dods added.
“He has a lot of experience and everybody looks up to him. I think he will lead by example rather than being a shouter.
“When we are up against it in games, Jon is always fighting our corner.”
Dods won’t be ready to take part in this weekend’s Oban Tournament but along with Dixon he will be flying out to Austria next week where he will work with physio Jeff Clarke.
Minor niggles mean Craig Conway, David Goodwillie and Danny Swanson won’t be going to Oban either.