FOR the first time in his young professional career, Tom Lineham will greet pre-season with a sense of excitement. The 22-year-old endured a difficult year of injuries and a loss of form and confidence in 2014, before bouncing back strongly to reclaim his place in the Hull FC team.
Ending the 2013 campaign with a Dream Team selection but also an injury which ruled him out of the Challenge Cup final and impacted on his pre-season training, yet another leg injury in round four at Bradford provided a further setback.
Enjoying the off-season for the first time, a fully-fit Lineham is excited about the possibility of what next year can bring for him after a first-ever full pre-season behind him.
"This is the first off-season I have ever had where I am fit. I'm really excited about that," Lineham told the Mail.
"Every year since I started, I've been injured in pre-season and the fact I'm fit in the off-season is a real boost to me. I'm really looking forward to getting going again as I know I'll be fit. Normally, pre-season isn't something you look forward to, but because I know I'll be starting it fit, I'm actually really looking forward to getting started again."
Lineham's fitness in pre-season may be a boost to coach Lee Radford, but it's a welcome fillip for the winger too, given the increased competition for places.
The signing of former Bradford Bulls young star Curtis Naughton, accompanied by Callum Lancaster, who committed his future this week, leaves Lineham with two ambitious young players snapping at his heels.
Having lost his place in the team to Lancaster this year, albeit temporarily, the popular winger knows he'll come under increasing pressure to keep his place in 2015.
Having already started running again in an effort to get ahead for the start of pre-season training four weeks today, Lineham is in both confident and determined mood.
He added: "I plan on coming back for the start of pre-season already very fit, which means I won't be playing catch-up at all, I'll be one of the ones leading the way.
"I've had a week off doing nothing and I'll try not to do too many weights between now and the start of pre-season because I just get too big. What I'm planning on doing is some long distance running, which I think will really benefit me.
"I want to be over 10 kilos lighter than I was last year. I'll come back in great shape and then it's about getting my head down and working harder than ever before."
