STRIKER Clyde Wijnhard was back home in Holland today with his hopes of starting the season lying in tatters.
The 27-year-old Dutchman visited specialists in Amsterdam this week for a check on the right arm he severely smashed in a car accident last September.
He reported back to the McAlpine yesterday to inform manager Lou Macari that he is not yet ready to start full training.
It's a hammer blow to Town's chances of having the powerful frontman back in contention alongside Andy Booth and Delroy Facey when Bournemouth visit for the start of the Second Division season on August 11.
Wijnhard caught an immediate flight back to Holland while his teammates prepared for tomorrow's departure on the pre-season tour to Devon.
Macari's men will play Exeter behind closed doors on Tuesday before their first public outing at Dawlish on Thursday.
Macari has laid down the law about his objectives this week.
"This is certainly no holiday and there is a lot of hard work ahead," said the manager.
"Our aim is to get a lot closer to being fully prepared for the start of the season.
"You need to be fit, strong and in good condition to play professionally, something I have always believed, and it seems the penny is starting to drop that you can get left behind if you're not.
"We will be training every day at Exeter University, maybe relaxing in the afternoon and possibly going to the cinema at night.
"Definitely not on the menu is drinking or nightclubs because we have got a big job on our hands this season and we have to be ready physically and mentally."
