CRAIG Gardner says brotherly love will help him hit the ground running when the new season gets underway. The Sunderland midfielder has kept his close-season fitness work in the family by training back home with his brother, Aston Villa teenager Gary. And he says the regular workouts have helped him stay sharp ahead of what he hopes will be a defining season in his career. The 25-year-old, back on Wearside yesterday to publicise the launch of Sunderlandâs new away-kit, told the Gazette: âItâs a bonus for me that Garyâs a professional footballer too. âWe both like to stay fit, so weâve been out on runs together which have just kept us ticking over, and itâs good that we encourage each other that way. âWhen the seasonâs over, I think you need to wind down for a few weeks and let it get out of your system. âBut you always know what the club expects of you in terms of keeping yourself in good condition, and before long youâre ready to get back into it again. âPersonally, Iâm feeling good and looking forward to next season. âAlthough Iâm still enjoying the close-season break, I canât wait for it all to begin again. âIâve spent the summer back home in the West Midlands â Iâve just become a father for the second time, and itâs great to be able to spend time with the family at a time like that. âBut having Gary around is handy, and hopefully it means that I wonât have to catch myself up too much when pre-season begins.â Last season was major for 19-year-old Gary, who finally broke into the Villa first team after having his whole career cast into doubt by serious ligament injuries. Sunderland boss Martin OâNeill ready to step up transfer plans But the coming season is a big one for the older Gardner, who made a £5.5m move from Birmingham City to Sunderland last summer and had a chequered time in his debut campaign for the Black Cats. Signed by Steve Bruce, he was expected to provide a goal threat from the centre of the park, having been Birminghamâs top scorer the previous campaign. But Gardner struggled to fit in initially on Wearside, and though his season improved markedly after the arrival of Martin OâNeill in December, he ended the season with three goals from 22 appearances â a record he plans to improve on. He said: âLast season was a strange one really, it didnât start off at all as Iâd expected and I was disappointed with that. But the new manager came in and things changed around for me. âThis season I really want to hit the ground running from the start.â More Sharing ServicesShare | Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on email Share on print
He looks a decent player when he's on form and scored a few crackers. Hopefully we'll get the best out of him next season.
Mmmmmm, at least Bardsley gets a shot in at the end of a run. Once Gardner starts moving with a ball at his feet he won't stop till someone takes it off him.......... Let's get a right wingback with pace, will compliment Seb perfectly, infact, WATCH THIS SPACE!!!
