Crewe Alexandra striker Tom Pope is hoping to hit the ground running once the new season kicks off against Brighton on August 9^th. The former Biddulph striker is aiming to see off any further competition coming into the club and secure a regular place alongside Nicky Maynard.

Pope has enjoyed a two-week break in Florida but is now back in light training and he admits he much prefers topping up his fitness in preparation for the new campaign.

Tom told the club's official web-site: "I've had a couple of weeks off and had a holiday, but I am coming into the training ground during the week and working on my fitness.

"Having only had two weeks off, it is not as if I've gone away and put on eight stone but I much prefer having the chance to come in and work on my strength. I think it will benefit me greatly going into the new season. I'm still pretty fit and it doesn't make sense to me to have 6 weeks off and then come in and be put through your paces for six weeks.

"I was injured during the pre-season last time around, so to keep fit this time would be a real bonus for me. I want to be as fit as I can be going into the pre-season matches. I want to get some minutes under my belt, score some goals and stake my claim for a regular place in the side."