New signing Andrew Hughes is enjoying the short time that he has spent at PNE so far, after reporting for pre-season training last week.
The full back signed from Peterborough United late last month and is already finding himself settling in with the squad. Hughes knew Ben Davies from playing together at Newport County and Billy Bodin from youth football in Wales prior to his arrival, helping the Welshman bed in.
Speaking to PNE.Com, he said: “I’ve really enjoyed myself so far, all the boys have been great and I feel like I’ve settled in really quickly.
“It’s always easier when you know people, coming into a changing room where you recognise a few faces, so I feel like I’m getting on with everyone. “
Making the step up from League One to the Championship will be a big test for the left back, but it’s a move that he’s dreamt of.
“It’s every player’s dream to get to the next level and that’s happening to me now, so I’ve just got to take my chance.
“You don’t know where you’re going to end up at any time and the move here happened pretty quickly, it’s just adjusting to that now.
“I feel good about myself, I did a bit over the summer so coming in has been good.
“I try to go on holidays, get them out of the way early and if I happen to go away later on in the holidays it tends to be a chilled one with the family then it’s back to it.
“There’s always a time when you have to put the ball away and totally put your mind at rest and then when it’s time to get back to it, then you switch back on.”
With pre-season training underway, the heat is no surprise to our new No.16 who isn’t fazed by the weather.
“It’s always the same! No matter where you are pre-season is always 100 degrees; and there’s always running involved, so it doesn’t matter where you are, it is what it is!
“It’s about the whole team getting fit and competing for positions. I can’t wait to put the shirt on and get out there.”
Hughes won’t have long to wait for his first appearance in a North End shirt, with Saturday’s 12.30pm kick-off against Bamber Bridge at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium opening up our pre-season fixtures, but it’s a ground that will be familiar to the new addition.
“I’ve played there before, I’ve played in probably every stadium you could think of across the leagues so it’s not going to new to me playing there.
“It’s about building up to that first game of the season and making sure you’re fit enough for selection. It’s still early stages of pre-season, but I think that’s what the whole mentality is.”