ANDY Whing is hoping a new training regime over the summer will help him avoid the injury problems which hampered the midfielder last season.

The 28-year-old reported back for pre-season 12 months ago with a groin injury, which kept him on the sidelines until October.

It is something Whing has had to deal with and he went to see a specialist at the end of the season to get a dedicated fitness programme for the summer.

As a result, he has ended up doing less than in previous years, when more intensive sessions may have done more harm than good.

Whing reported back with the rest of the United squad on Monday, and is hopeful of a clear run going into the new campaign.

He said: “You want to be as fit as you can be, but perhaps I did too much too soon over the years.

“Maybe I can’t just keep on jogging round the block and on pavements.

“I have taken a more gentle approach this time and so far it’s gone well.

“Last season was disappointing. I missed two or three months, so I just need to ease myself back in, because it’s good to have a solid pre-season under your belt.

“Everything’s fine, I just can’t do certain things that I used to.

“It doesn’t stop me playing football. It stops me plodding round the field, because football’s not like that.

“Now I have to do different stuff. Rather than just straight-line running, I do some hill running and zig-zag running.”

It means that Whing may sit out some of the work other United players do.

But the former Brighton and Coventry player, who signed a new long-term contract with the U’s this month, is confident of being available for the opening game at Ardley on July 6.