IT was business as usual at York City's Wigginton training ground today as the Minstermen checked in for pre-season training.

After a longer than usual closed season due to the World Cup, the City squad have been just itching to get back to work, especially to face the new recruits on the coaching staff in Kevin Hornsby and Luther Blissett.

But while the majority of the squad has been able to enjoy a summer break, no doubt watching the thrills and spills in Japan and South Korea, some have been putting in extra hours in the gym to make sure they are fit and ready to go.

All the players had been given a training schedule to stick, but for Lee Bullock, Mike Basham, Richard Cooper and Peter Duffield, it has been a case of putting a little bit extra in.

Bullock and Basham both had ankle operations before the end of the season, while Duffield and Cooper have been on different stages of the road to recovery after suffering broken legs.

The operations for Bullock and Basham have meant both have been regulars at Bootham Crescent over recent weeks, working with City physio Jeff Miller to ensure the injuries heal fully.

And all the hard work over the summer means the duo will be able to take part in a large chunk of training.

Bullock told the Evening Press: "I've been in most of the summer working with Jeff Miller, but yesterday was the first day that I've kicked a ball since the operation on April 11.

"I'm still two weeks or so away from being completely back, but I can do certain things with the rest of the squad. But when they go off to play football, I'll head off with Jeff to do some more work with him.

"Me and Bash (Basham) have been working together at the club since our operations, so it will be the same for him.

"I've spent six weeks in a pot and then the last six weeks working with Jeff and Bash."

Cooper, who suffered a fracture to his right fibula, did manage a return to action for City in the final Division Three match of the season against Scunthorpe, coming on for the second 45 minutes.

But after missing most of the final weeks to the season, the former England Schools midfielder is desperate to make up for lost time.

"It feels all right now," he said. "I played for the last 45 minutes against Scunthorpe and did the final two weeks of training, so I should train with the lads as normal.

"I've been doing some light jogging since and have been keeping myself in shape.

"I just can't wait for the season now, especially after I was out that long. It has been 16 weeks since I've been back into it fully."

Striking star Duffield, who endured heartbreak when he suffered a break to his leg for the third time in his City career, has been putting the hours over the summer months and is now raring to go.

Another injury victim at the end of the campaign, player-of-the-year Alan Fettis, will also train as normal after recovering from a knee injury.

Updated: 11:47 Wednesday, July 03, 2002