Morecambe return ready and raring to go

The Shrimps got back to work ahead of the new League 2 season on July 1 with Bentley impressed with the work his players had done in the off season.

Five new faces - Aaron Wildig, Adam Dugdale, Lee Molyneux, Tom Barkhuizen and Peter Murphy – were in their ranks as the build up begins to the season opener at Hartlepool on August 8.

Bentley said: “The first day was about getting the squad together and having some baseline fitness tests before starting in earnest on Thursday.

“We tested all the lads and not one of them came back heavier than when the last season finished. Each player had an individual summer fitness programme and they all did their programme and more.

“That is really important because it means they can hit the ground running over the next few days which will be tough.

“We will be working on a very similar programme to what we have done over the past couple of years.

“We have always started the season well and it would be wrong to try and change it too much. It will be tough but that is what pre-season is about.”