ALFIE Potter is relishing the hard work which lies ahead in Oxford United’s pre-season following the longest injury lay-off in his career.

A broken ankle in January kept the winger on the sidelines for the second half of last season.

Potter got the all-clear from medical staff shortly after the campaign finished in May, so has since been impatiently waiting to get back to work.

The 23-year-old admitted the process of regaining match fitness after the summer break was not usually a cause for celebration, but this pre-season is different.

He said: “No-one looks forward to pre-season, but in a weird way I am quite looking forward to it.

“It’s gone quite quick actually, it’s not seemed like five months, but I just can’t wait for the games to start.

“I’ve got to put the hard work in, get the running out the way and once the games start I’ll be delighted.

“It’s the same for everyone and it’s what pre-season is for – you put the work in to get the benefits throughout the season.

“Everyone in the country will be doing the same thing, so you can’t have any excuses and just have to get on with it.”

With United having a quiet summer so far in the transfer market, a lot is expected of players such as Potter and Tom Craddock, who missed large chunks of last season.

The good news for Potter is there have been no issues with his ankle for several weeks.

He added: “There’s been no problems since I got the all-clear, I still have to do certain bits, but there should be no complications.”

After having their fitness assessed on Friday, United’s players will have their first taste of a full session today.

Jake Forster-Caskey, who completed a loan move from Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday, will be among the group for the first time.

Sean Rigg is the only permanent transfer completed by the U’s so far, but the former Port Vale winger is confident of settling in quickly.

He said: “I’m happy to be here, I’ve been looking forward to it and I just want to get on with it and get myself fit.

“It’s a bit strange coming into a club, I know Ryan Clarke a bit and I was at Grays with Batts (Damian Batt), but you’ve just got to get on with it, get your head down and you soon get to know people.”