Players have a responsibility to manage their own fitness

WELCOME back to work, Stoke City, and let's hope that we have a lot more fun in the next few months than we've managed in the last few years.

- By Mike Pejic

The one thing I hope I'm not repeating this season is an irritation about fitness and injuries.

Football always carries a danger and we don't want to soften it too much; some injuries are part of the territory even if they're no less frustrating for those involved.

But there is a lot you can do as a club and particularly as an individual to make sure that you don't suffer the kind of problems which are avoidable.

Manage our own body. You're a professional athlete and you've got to take expert care of yourself.

Take training seriously, of course, but do not underestimate the importance of your rest and recovery periods.

Make sure you get good sleep. I hope that everyone kept themselves going to a certain level over the close season, down a gear obviously but still turning over.

There are so many staff around these days and you cannot want for more advice.

Take it but also understand yourself and all the signs that your limbs are giving you.