THE SKILLFUL Steve Jones has admitted that he is glad pre-season is now over. "It's been a gruelling pre-season with plenty of running," he said with a wry smile. "Jon Whitney has certainly put us through our paces, but everyone is fit and ready.

"No-one likes pre-season, but we've all come through it unscathed and I have no doubt that the work we have done will help us as the season goes on.

"As we look ahead to the new season, you always want to progress on the previous campaign and that is what we will be trying to do.

"Being one of the more experienced players in the squad, I have a responsibility to help nurture the younger lads and pass on my experience to them.

"From a personal point of view, I was on a good run last year until it was interrupted by a niggling injury that kept me out for three months. Hopefully I can stay inhury-free this time around and weigh in with my fair share of goals for the team."

The Saddlers start where the previous season ended with a visit from MK Dons. "They gave us a tough game at the end of last season," he added. "They had a number of players missing on that occasion, so it shows the strength of their squad.

"They have added to it in the summer and I'm sure that if Dietmar Hamann plays he will be looking to organise things in the middle of the park."

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