Devera insists training is harder under MacDonald (From Swindon Advertiser)

Devera insists training is harder under MacDonald

6:00am Friday 8th March 2013 in STFC News By Sam Morshead

JOE Devera thinks training under new Swindon Town manager Kevin MacDonald is “sharper and harder” than during the regime of Paolo Di Canio.

The centre-back, who is back to full fitness following his recovery from a torn hamstring, has spoken of his and the rest of the squad’s approval of MacDonald’s methods after the Scot completed his first week in charge at the County Ground.

The former Barnet man said that a “buzz” exists around Town’s Liddington training base at present.

“I’m really happy to be training again and the training has been excellent since he came in so I’m happy to be part of it,” he said.

“It’s been brilliant. The training has been fun and there’s been a buzz around the training ground. Everyone is enjoying training.

“The training has been a lot sharper, quicker and harder but with less of it. With the old regime it went on for a lot longer but it wasn’t as hard as with Kevin MacDonald.

“We’ll start at the same time but we’ll finish a lot earlier and get the same work done. Everyone seems happy and there’s a good feel around the camp. Everyone seems to be enjoying it so it is a possible.”

Having established himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet under Di Canio, Devera knows he is now going to have to prove himself all over again to MacDonald.

For now, however, he is simply delighted to be able to be considered for selection.

“It’s better now, I’ve started training again and I’ve got the strength in it now,” he said. “Hopefully it holds up and I just need to stay on top of it and keep working hard on my hamstring work. Hopefully it will be okay.

“When I first pulled out it was just out of training out of precaution - I didn’t really do it properly. Then I played at Leyton Orient and that’s when I properly tore it. I missed a game through a tight one and then came back and tore it and was out for a month so it’s been very frustrating.

“I wouldn’t say I’m concerned about it because you just need to get on with it. As long as I stay on top of my rehab work and keep doing my strength work it should be okay.”