Clare scored one goal in nine matches for the Stags last season

Mansfield Town striker Daryl Clare is hoping that extra training this summer will help give him an edge in the Blue Square Premier next season.

The 30-year-old, who joined the Stags in March, is working hard in a bid to regain his fitness levels.

Clare told BBC Radio Nottingham: "We did the month's intensive training and then the plan was for four weeks' rest.

"I felt, due to the performances I was putting in, it was time to get back to fitness levels that I've had before."

The Jersey-born one-time Republic of Ireland B cap did not play for four months last season for personal reasons.

After scoring on his Stags debut in March, Clare failed to score in his next eight appearances and he is determined to put that right.

He said: "I don't think I performed anywhere near the standard I've set myself.

"I will never use excuses that I was unfit or had problems because you should be able to turn up and perform, but I wasn't happy with what I produced and that's put a bit of fire in my belly.

"My record in goal speaks for itself but you can't just turn up and expect to score goals, you have to put in the hard work behind the scenes."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version