JAMES Coutts hopes that Dorchester Town will be the fittest team in next season’s Blue Square Bet South.

With pre-season training set to commence in three weeks’ time, Coutts is looking forward to a return to action.

However, he readily admits he is somewhat wary of the plans that corporal Ashley Vickers has in store for his troops.

Looking ahead to the first session on July 3, the midfielder said: “It’s not long now and I must admit I’m dreading it in a way because knowing Ash like I do it’s going to be very hard.

“I can’t wait for the first game and I know that everyone else thinks the same because we had such a good end to last season. Hopefully next season will be really positive.

“A few of the boys have been working with Sean Ferguson at his gym and a lot of thanks should go to him for the personal training he’s done with them.”

Coutts also highlighted the importance of a rigorous training regime, adding: “Last year I missed pre-season and I could tell during my performances that I wasn’t fit enough.

“But I believe that after this pre-season we will be the fittest team in the league.

“If we can be the fittest team in the league it will make a massive difference. Players might be having a bad game but that extra fitness can help see them through.

“So many goals are scored late on because people get tired, so hopefully the work we will be doing will put us in good stead throughout the season.”