Joe Lolley is ready to go to the top in his bid to be as fit as possible for next season.

The Huddersfield Town frontman will follow a specially-designed training programme before reporting back to the club with his teammates in July.

It includes a number of visits to the Football Association’s purpose-built national football centre at Burton-upon-Trent.

Rejected by Birmingham City as a teenager, Lolley, now 22, only became a full-time footballer when he joined Town from non-league Kidderminster Harriers for £350,000 in January 2014.

Before moving up to Conference level with Kiddy two years ago, he played for Midlands minnows Littleton.

Having suffered a series of niggly injuries as he adapted to the demands of daily training with Town, he is determined to get himself up to speed.

“I really want to come back firing on all cylinders, and I’m working hard,” said the Redditch-born former university student.

“Last pre-season was my first in professional football, so this time I know better what is coming and how to deal with it.

“It’s very important I do everything I can to stay injury-free next season, so base fitness is crucial.”

Lolley, who represented Great Britain Universities and played for the England semi-professional team while with Kidderminster, has made 25 Town appearance and scored four goals.

Big step up

“I’m very lucky to be in the position I am, and I think I have done well to get here,” he added.

“It’s obviously a big step up from the Conference to the Championship, but I don’t think many people realise how big the gap is in physical terms.

“It’s not so much the games, but the toll that day-to-day training takes when you first start doing it at the intensity required.

“Most professionals have been doing it since they were 16, so I am catching up.

“When you break down with injuries, you realise how vital it is to be as fit as you possibly can be.

“I’ve had good advice on mixing rest with training, and I am following it.

“I’ve got a varied programme lined up. St George’s Park isn’t too far away from my mum’s place, so I’ll be making a few visits to do some special work.”

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