Oxford United striker Jamie Mackie is raring to go ahead of the new season.
The 33-year-old, who scored five goals in 42 appearances for the U’s last season, joined the squad late last summer, missing much of the pre-season preparations.
And as a result, the former Scotland international suffered a few niggling injuries, particularly early in the season.
But the U’s only natural senior striker has been pleased with the two weeks of training he and the rest of the squad have endured in Portugal. The tough schedule has pushed the squad, but the striker knows its important.
Mackie told the Oxford Mail: “I haven’t had a pre-season in a while and it’s imperative. Last year, I wasn’t properly fit until around Christmas time.
“And you saw in the second half of the season, when we had another striker as well, the improvement in my performance.”
Mackie added that he is looking for a successful season this year, and hasn’t been put off by the gruelling pre-season training.
Th forward could be an important figure for the U’s this season. So far, he is Karl Robinson’s only natural senior striker. After failing to secure Jerome Sinclair on loan, it is certainly an area on the field that the U’s need to improve.
Robinson also mentioned that he was to rotate the captaincy this season. Mackie, and his experience, will be integral in this, particularly with the number of youth players amongst the ranks at the club.
The U’s have their first pre-season match on Saturday as they travel to Ibrox to face Steven Gerrard’s Rangers.