Source: FOOTYMAD
JT starts back early
Winger improving fitness ahead of fixture release Flying winger Jerome Thomas has returned early to pre-season training in a bid to regain full fitness. The former Charlton and Portsmouth man missed the final six games of last season with the troublesome back injury which saw him miss the whole of the previous campaign at Pompey. Thomas is no stranger to working alone during the summer after his release from Fratton Park last year and now believes his injury problems are behind him as he hopes to have an added edge when the rest of the first team squad report back for training at the start of July. "I want to hit the ground running," said the 27-year-old. "The season finished early and I've had a good break. "I've had enough time to get all my holidays in and have a blow-out. "So, I've still got enough time to come in early and start cracking on. "Last summer I was on a free transfer so I literally had to work on my own anyway. "I'm no stranger to just getting up and being able to push myself every day. "It's just a case of doing that really. "And with such a big season coming up it can only help - it's to benefit me and the team. "When you're younger you don't really think about it but as you get older you learn. "People like Dozza and Jonas, who played a lot of games, need the full break. "Finishing the season with an injury meant I wanted to come back in and do all the strengthening work. "I want to get everything right and ready for pre-season. "I've been doing core strengthening work and running. "I'll step it up and keep working on my general fitness. "The fitter I am, the more I can produce in games. "I started last week and I'll be doing a few days a week up until pre-season starts. "The physio staff have been great with me. "And I can still enjoy the rest of the time I have off and my weekends." The former Arsenal trainee also revealed his excitement ahead of the release of the fixture list tomorrow and admitted keeping on an eye on when the Baggies will return to the Emirates after being sent off there in the Carling Cup this term. "I can't wait to see who we've got in the first game of the season," he continued. "Hopefully it's a home game for the fans. "I'm well up for it and I can't wait. "I'll be looking out for any of the local teams and then Arsenal."
