Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson hopes that his rehabilitation during the summer can be an advantage when pre-season training starts.
The Scotland international has not played since sustaining a cruciate ligament injury against Kilmarnock in November.
But now a return is in sight for the 24-year-old and he hopes the extra work he is doing while his colleagues are on holiday can see him return to his best.
“It's been at the back of my mind thinking fitness is all down to the individual, it's how much you put in,” Thomson said in The Evening Times.
“I've never shirked hard work. I prefer to run on the park than around hills, but I know where I'm at, I know I need to get fit.
“A bit of endurance under my belt over the summer will hopefully stand me in good stead.
“The whole point of pre-season is getting fit and hopefully I'll be fit from day one, rather than needing the three or four weeks to get fit. Hopefully I'll have an edge on the boys.”