Bailey Wright is ready for the season ahead after a busy summer for the Aussie defender.
The 23-year-old had a slightly delayed return to pre-season training after representing Australia in the summer, but Wright has kept himself in shape ready during his break.
"We've had a good long summer, we've had a good time off and for myself I've had a few games as well for Australia which was a special experience.
"Everytime you represent your country it's something to remember and to play England on English soil as well was special for me. Obviously I have been here for seven years now so that was a good game and a good learning experience.
"Then we had another two game against Greece in Australia, so it was a busy summer but it was a busy one."
Having played during the summer with the Socceroos, Wright returned to training a couple of days later than the rest of the squad, but the defender feels as though he is up to speed with the rest of the squad.
"They gave me a few extra days to recover and relax a little bit more but I've felt good coming in the last couple of days, I think I'm up to speed.
"The extra days off aren't there just to be lazy, you still need to come back to be ready to go.
"It was probably the most time off I've had over the last three years I would say. I wouldn't change that for a thing, you want to be representing your country and playing football as much as you can.
"You need your recovery time but you like it busy and I wouldn't change that."
After a week back with the squad, the focus turns to the first pre-season friendly fixtures this weekend against Bamber Bridge and Chorley.
Speaking of the two games, the 23-year-old continued: "It's a way of announcing the new signings really and they get to show what they are about. The boys get the feel of interaction with the fans and the local clubs and it's become a bit of tradition really.
"We always play Chorley and Bamber Bridge and there's always been a good couple of games and there's always a good turnout and a good atmosphere at those games.
"As a footballer you want to go out there and play games as soon as you can, whether that's 45 minutes or 90 minutes it's nice.
"You go through some hard yards around the running track and on the pitches and once the balls are out time seems to fly."
To hear more from Bailey on his return for pre-season and more, go to PNE PlayerHD for the full interview by clicking on the video below.