STEVE Adams will join Swindon Town for pre-season training determined to impress Paul Sturrock and earn a contract at the County Ground.

The 26-year-old, who is a free agent after leaving Sheffield Wednesday at the end of the season, is excited' about the prospect of working with old boss Sturrock again.

Adams enjoyed a successful period under Sturrock at the Pilgrims, winning the Division Three and Division Two titles in successive seasons. He joined Sturrock at Sheffield Wednesday in March 2005 before injury problems hampered his career.

Now Adams, speaking exclusively to the Swindon Advertiser, revealed he will be at the County Ground for Town's pre-season campaign determined to prove his worth to boss Sturrock.

"I've spoken to Paul (Sturrock) and I'm coming up when pre-season training starts," said Adams.

"The gaffer wants to assess my fitness. He wants me to come down and have a look at me.

"Obviously he knows what I am all about so hopefully I just need to prove my fitness.

"I know Paul well and obviously I've worked with him before and enjoyed some successful times with him getting to Championship and winning promotions.

"I've had a few injury problems recently so it is all about proving my fitness."

An Achilles' injury two seasons ago set Adams' career back and after surgery subsequent niggly injuries have held back the midfielder, who made 176 appearances, scoring seven goals, for Sturrock at Plymouth.

But now Adams claims to be injury free and confident about earning a contract at the County Ground, so much so that he hasn't spoken to any other clubs.

The free agent added: "It's really been start-stop for me in the last few years.

"I had the Achilles problem and played on when I probably should have had the op.

"Since the op I've had lots of niggly injuries and struggled to get going again.

"Hopefully I can stay fit and prove myself at Swindon. I've not spoken to any other clubs and I'm not looking at any other clubs.

"I want to come to Swindon. I obviously know Paul Sturrock well, know a few of the players and I watched Swindon a few times last season.

"I like what I see and I know what will be expected and the kind of football that will be played.

"We'll have to wait and see what happens but I'm excited about it and can't wait to get started. I'm doing my own fitness right now and I feel in pretty good shape and I'm looking forward to pre-season starting."

And Adams will have a couple of familiar faces to welcome him if he does earn a deal at the County Ground with former teammates Barry Corr and Hasney Aljofree having already signed for Town.

"I've played with Hasney (Aljofree) and he is a good solid defender. I was at Wednesday with Big Baz' (Barry Corr) and he has done really well since he has arrived in Swindon, I'm sure he and Hasney will be valuable assets for the club."

Adams has no fears of dropping down from the Championship to League One, describing Town as "a big club" earlier this month when the Swindon Advertiser exclusively broke news of his possible move to the County Ground.

He admits retaining the club's League One status is key but believes Town are capable of more and that boss Sturrock will want to push onwards and upwards.

"I don't see any reason why they can't finish in mid-table," added Adams. "I know Paul's style, he will want to push on. His teams are always defensively sound, they never concede many goals.

"I really cannot see any reason why they can't finished in mid-table or above.

"I'm just really looking forward to this opportunity and just cannot wait to get started."