After a season of stop-start football, North End No.9 Chris Brown is looking to work hard during the off season to try and make sure he is ready for the 2009/10 season when it finally arrives.

"On a personal note last season was disappointing. I've never really got going. There are a couple of games where I have done alright.

"The best game I've felt has been the QPR game at the end of the season, when I came on for half an hour. I have felt better the last couple of weeks, but the summer is going to be massive to me in getting myself put right - a lot of stretching and stuff to make sure I am right for next year."

Looking ahead to what is expected to be a gruelling pre-season again, the former Sunderland forward is expecting another tough test of their fitness levels: "We know what to expect. We know how hard it will be, so to make anything easier will be a bonus. That just means we have to have the right summer.

"Some of the lads have played 40-odd games, so rest is just as important as the work, but once you've had a couple of weeks off, you'll have to knuckle down and look forward to coming back. It soon comes around."

The new season will be another opportunity to try and look to progress and PNE's £300,000 signing from Norwich thinks they have the players to do it: "Hopefully we can progress again. We have beaten some very good teams at home and on the road this season and if we can match that with the consistency against the teams at the bottom end of the table, then there isn't anybody who can stop us.

"We have a lot of good players in the team, it is just a case of proving it. The lads who played regularly have done outstandingly well to a very high standard and if we can match that next year and bring a couple of new faces in, then we will see where it takes us."