A BRONZED and rested Ross Jenkins recently arrived back in Hertfordshire after a week's retreat and well earned break in Spain.

The Academy graduate reiterated the importance of recuperation during the close-season especially after the intense 12 months that Jenkins has experienced since breaking into the first team and becoming a starting regular.

He said: "It's always good to get a rest, particularly after a hard and busy season which has tested your body to the maximum. To rest your body and muscles and take your mind off football for a bit is essential preparation for the new season."

Jenkins: "Malky and I have a very good relationship"

Despite enjoying his time off, Jenkins can't wait to get stuck into pre-season training with his new boss, who he has great admiration for.

"It's going to be interesting; I'm really looking forward to it" he said. "I've known Malky a long time and I know how he works. I like his style of play and we have a very good relationship.

"Malky's got two different styles, because he was a pretty tough guy as a player he has that side to him, but he can also incorporate into that the style of play that we used last season. I hope this mixture results in a successful solution for us."

After playing 37 games in last year's campaign, the young midfielder wants to replicate the highlights of his rookie year in the new season.

"I hope to start and play every game; to keep going with the momentum that I had last season would be a great way to begin the campaign and then we'll just build on from there.

Jenkins enjoyed 37 first team games last season

"Being at Vicarage Road on the first day of the season with the home fans behind us and with it being Malky's his first game as manager, the crowd should give him a good reception, and that will get our good mood up even more.

"I'm really looking forward to this season and visiting some of the clubs I've never been to before such as Newcastle and Middlesbrough.

"I'm absolutely buzzing about going to St James' Park in December, it's one of the biggest stadiums in the country and they're such a big club, I'm very excited at the prospect of playing there."

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