Rod McDonald says he has returned to Carlisle United in better shape this pre-season – and is determined to get back to his best.

The centre-half says he wants to put a more consistent campaign together in his second season with the Blues.

McDonald is the most experienced member of an otherwise youthful defensive unit at Brunton Park.

And the 29-year-old says he is in good shape to make a positive mark on United’s 2021/22 season, with McDonald feeling at his fittest since he was at Coventry three years ago.

“We all had our own meetings with the gaffer at the end of last season and we both agreed that I needed to get back to the old Rod McDonald,” said the ex-Wimbledon and Northampton man.

“I’ve done that during the summer. I want to play in a lot more games than I did last year. I’ve come back in better shape, especially than I was last year, so I’m excited for this year.”

McDonald says a close-season of working hard on his fitness has primed him to improve on last season, when he made 31 appearances for Chris Beech’s side.

He says a more normal build-up to this campaign, compared with last year’s Covid-hit preparations, have helped him step things up in terms of his conditioning.

“I think last year it was difficult because we had four months or so without knowing if the season would get finished, then we didn’t know when the next season would start,” he said.

“I usually do some work with my personal trainer during pre-season which was harder with the restrictions last year as well.

“This time around I’ve been able to have a good five or six weeks with him over the summer.

“This season is about just helping the boys as much as I can on and off the pitch and playing as much as I can, playing more than I did last year, and keeping the consistency of my performance higher.”

United are building up to their first pre-season friendly at Penrith next Tuesday, with less than a month now until their league season gets under way.

McDonald says pre-season work under Beech so far has been demanding but will help United be on top shape for the new campaign.

“It’s been difficult, as it always is, but we’ve done a lot of football which has been good – we’ve had the balls out most days with some tough running alongside it,” he said.

“All the boys have come back in great nick which is great to see.”

United have made three new signings so far in Tristan Abrahams, Zach Clough and Corey Whelan, while Beech is hoping to bring in a new goalkeeper soon.

McDonald says the trio of new recruits have settled in quickly.

“The new boys are all great lads and this changing room is so easy to come into,” he said. “Everybody gets on really well, so the new lads have fitted right into that really easily.”

Whelan will be among the players competing for a slot at the heart of United’s defence along with McDonald, Morgan Feeney and Aaron Hayden.

“There’s competition for places throughout the squad which is good for everyone,” McDonald said. “You should never think you’re guaranteed to play. We’ve got good players, especially in my position, so it’s good to know you need to fight for your position in the team.”

On the squad Beech currently has at his disposal, McDonald added: “The core of the team are still here and I think that will be a big plus for us.

“We all know how the gaffer wants us to work and how hard we need to work. The majority of us already understand that and the new lads are getting into it really quickly which is good to see.”