As far as pre-season goes there won't be much that Zigor Aranalde hasn't seen or done and so, with the first couple of games under his belt and the big match with Newcastle only days away, we caught up with him to find out how he was feeling.

"At this stage we're looking for a range of things in the game's, but most of all it's still the fitness and just getting used to playing again," he said.

"It's been a couple of months since we finished," he told us, "so that first game always feels a little strange until you get used to playing and the positioning again. More than anything though, it's the match fitness we're all trying to build back up. There aren't lots and lots of new faces, so we all know each other pretty well from that point of view, and it's not a case of having to figure out how all the lads play which is good. It's always nice to get through the first couple of games, perhaps we could have scored some more goals, especially against Barrow, but hopefully that will come and the main thing is everyone is feeling OK.."

He also explained his approach to the high profile friendly against Newcastle: "Any game you play in you have to go in to it thinking you're going to do well. It doesn't matter if you're playing against Newcastle or Barrow. Obviously the Newcastle game is a more attractive one for both us and the fans, because they are a big club, a Premiership club. I saw the queue's at the ticket office this week and there are going to be a lot of people here, so it will be an afternoon to enjoy - but for the players it is another test for the fitness, positioning and trying to do the right things. We all want to get things right and be ready for that first League game - until Walsall everything is just preparation."

"In some ways it is just another training session," he said. "If the likes of Michael Owen play then that's all the better for us and the people who come to watch but, in my opinion, that isn't too important. No matter who you play against you always have to try your best and try to do well, it doesn't mean that if you do well against Michael Owen that you'll be a great player!"

Pre-season friendlies aside the fixture computer threw up an interesting opening day for Zigor. Having spent nearly five years at Walsall, it comes as no surprise that he's looking forward to the trip to the Bescot Stadium.

"It is going to be quite interesting," he admitted. "I played there for a long time, so going back will be a little bit like going home for me. There are a few people still there from when I was with them as well. People like Darren Wrack and a couple of others are still there, so I am looking forward to it and I hope it will be a good game."