Owen won promotion from League Two with Stockport in 2008

Defender Gareth Owen has said he will be fully fit when he returns to pre-season training with Port Vale.

Owen needed sugar injections to play in the latter stages of the season and was later diagnosed with a muscle problem in his lower back.

"They've given me exercises to do, and I've been going in twice a week since the season has finished," the 27-year-old told BBC Radio Stoke.

"We've got to the bottom of it and I'll be fit and raring to go."

Owen, who has played 54 games for Vale since joining from Stockport in November 2008, added that he will be topping up his fitness over the summer.

I tend to stay off the running until a couple of weeks before we go back because it gives your joints time to recover Port Vale defender Gareth Owen

Manager Micky Adams has promised a punishing summer schedule, more challenging than the one he employed after arriving at Vale Park last June.

"I've done so many pre-seasons now, I know what tides me over and what keeps me ticking, so that I'm in relatively good shape for the start of pre-season," added Owen.

"I tend to stay off the running until a couple of weeks before we go back because it gives your joints time to recover.

"There will be plenty of swimming and rowing, and anything else that gets your heart rate going."

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