Danny Guthrie ready for United boot camp

Jul 8 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

DANNY Guthrie is expecting to be forced through the pain barrier when Newcastle United arrive in Ireland today for the start of their pre-season boot camp.

It was the week spent at Carton House on the outskirts of Dublin which began Newcastle’s rehabilitation from the horrors of relegation last summer and Guthrie feels it will be just as significant this year.

Although the players are subjected to a demanding training schedule to bring their fitness levels back up to scratch after a two-month break, Guthrie claimed the week is also vital as a team bonding exercise.

“I think Ireland was extremely beneficial last year and it’s good to know that we’re going back,” said Guthrie, who was one of Newcastle’s most improved players last season. “It’s going to be very tough for us when we get out there.

“But we bonded as a group last year, which was important for what we went on to achieve, and we’re looking forward to going back.

“There is a lot of hard work at this time of year, it’s part and parcel of the game. The trip to Ireland worked wonders for us last time and there is no reason why it can’t do so again.

“We’ve been eased back into it over the first few days of training, but the coaches will crank it up in Ireland. But we also do other things as well, like play golf.

“The real work starts when we get to Dublin. It’s not like the old days though. The lads were all given individual

programmes before we went away and I think most of us have done the work we needed to do, or at least little bits here and there.

“It’s up to us whether we do them or not, but I think most of the boys have come back in pretty good shape.”

Although Newcastle’s players have returned for pre-season in a completely different working environment when compared to the turmoil surrounding the club last summer, Guthrie insists nobody will under-estimate the size of the task ahead of them.