22-year-old Neale McDermott made 17 appearances for United last season, chipping in with 3 extremely important goals, earning himself a contract extension that keeps him at Brunton Park next season.

He told us: "It's good to be back. Everyone dreads the first couple of days of pre-season, but deep down you also look forward to it in a strange kind of way. We've had our break now, and everyone is raring to go. It's good to see everyone again and it's good to get cracking on with it, and I must admit that I'm looking forward to the first game."

"The training has been hard," he conceded, "but you get back in to it very quickly. We need the double sessions that we are having to get fitness levels back up, and to get our ball skills back up. It takes a couple of days to start to really click, then everyone is fine with it again."

"We've got some good friendlies coming up," he said, "and it's not just me who has an eye on the Newcastle one. Everyone likes to play against the big teams, and there are a few Newcastle fans in the dressing room, me being one, so that makes it even more special. I'll be looking to get as much time on the pitch as possible for that one."

"Pre-season sees us all come back together with the same aim," he explained. "We all want to do our best. Of course, there is a full squad of players, and we all want to play in the first game of the season. I'm no different. This six weeks of training is about hoping to impress the manager and get one of those eleven places in that first game at Walsall."

"The manager made it quite clear yesterday, really," he concluded. "He had a little chat with us all, saying it was good to be back, and that our aim has got to be to claim a first team place. The way we start the season is important, and we all want to be out there bringing 3 points back to Cumbria."