Hartlepool United stalwart David Ferguson insists that the hard work has already begun ahead of next season

Previous manager Kevin Phillips often bemoaned his side's lack of fitness last term, although it would be difficult to level that criticism at Ferguson, who has made 193 appearances over four years, featured 46 times last season and gets up and down the left flank relentlessly.

However, the lack of an obvious replacement at left-back meant that the 29-year-old was required to play pretty much every game, even though he ended the season with a series of knocks and niggles.

New boss Darren Sarll, who tried to sign Ferguson when he was in charge at Stevenage, is set to put his side through their paces when the players return for pre-season, with assistant coach Carl Dickinson boasting a background in strength and conditioning coaching.

Speaking to BBC Radio Tees after agreeing to a new contract to keep him at the Suit Direct Stadium for another season, Ferguson explained that, although he has taken a small bit of time off to allow his body to heal, the hard work has already begun.

"You've obviously got to keep yourself ticking over," he said.

"I gave myself just over a week off, just to recharge.

"I've been playing throughout with niggles, I remember the Halifax game where I knocked my knee and I've been playing through that every single game since then. I always make myself available.

"It's just about building myself back up again and getting that robustness in me.

"We get programmes and stuff off the club, and I know my own body; you know what you need as you get older.

"I didn't play 193 times over four years just out of coincidence.

"It's the stuff I do in the off-season that sets me up for pre-season, and then the season."