Ashley Eastham admits that he’s pleased to be back involved after missing the first two weeks of pre-season due to injury.
The defender, who was side-lined due to a foot problem, completed 90 minutes against Huddersfield Town and Accrington Stanley, and he says that he has been working hard to build up his fitness levels.
“It was unfortunate to miss a couple of weeks at the start of pre-season, but fingers crossed I’m over that now,” Eastham told Dale Player.
“It was good to get two 90 minute games in the bag. It was tough doing a Saturday/ Tuesday, but it is needs must now to get fitter and fitter because the season is coming up on us.”
Eastham travelled to Tenerife but was forced to spend the majority of time with the Dale physios as he was unable to take part in full training. He admits that was difficult.
“The hard part for me was being out in Tenerife and not being able to take part in the sessions. That really is the foundation for your fitness for the start of the season so with regards to that I felt like I was a week or two behind. I’ve been working hard since I’ve been back doing a little bit extra in addition to the training that I’ve been doing with the lads and I feel like the game time is doing me really good at the moment.”
Mk Dons are the visitors to Spotland this weekend in the final pre-season game before the start of the 2015-16 season, and Eastham believes they will provide a tough test.
“I would consider MK Dons, along with Preston and Bristol City, as the best three sides in the division last season and we had two tough games when we played them.
“They’re a footballing side and we’re a footballing side, so it’ll be good to see how we get on against them. Hopefully we’ll get the result we want.”
The full interview with Ash is available to view on Dale Player.