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Exeter City in 'good shape' for new season

Exeter City in 'good shape' for new season

BBC News22-07-2025
Exeter City midfielder Reece Cole feels the Grecians are in "good shape" ahead of the start of the new season.The 27-year-old has scored in both of the club's pre-season matches so far this month as City prepare for a fourth successive season in League One.Exeter face two games in as many days this week as they make their final preparations for the season - taking on Torquay United at Plainmoor on Friday before hosting Championship side Swansea City in Pierce Sweeney's testimonial game a day later. "I think we look in good shape," he told BBC Radio Devon."The numbers are good from the feedback we get from the S&C [strength and conditioning] coaches, so we feel like we're in a good place."Two really good games again next week, Torquay on the Friday and then obviously Sweeney's testimonial on the Saturday."So two very different tests and probably two different game plans that we'll go out and try and play, so hopefully it puts us in really good stead for the season."Injuries hampered Cole last season - with his absence from part of pre-season a reason for him playing just 13 games before new year. "I missed a massive chunk last pre-season," says Cole."I came in with a little bit of a niggle and tried getting through things and got misdiagnosed with injuries and it ultimately killed my season."So I think maintaining your fitness in the off-season when you're away from the club is important. "But then when you come into pre-season, you need to be ready to go and you're going to feel niggles, you're going to feel tired, you're going to feel like you're hurting but you just need to get through it and it will put you in great stead for the season."
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