COVENTRY City midfielder Aron Gunnarsson says the summer has given him an opportunity to recharge his batteries ahead of the 2009/10 season.

The 20-year-old playmaker has had a busy close season, being in World Cup qualifying action for his native Iceland.

But he said a good holiday and a trip back to his homeland were enough to get him fighting fit for when the Coventry City squad report for the first day of pre-season training next week.

"Pre-season isn't the best time to be a footballer because it's a lot of really hard, physical work but it's needed to make sure you are ready to start the start the new season," he said.

The 2009/10 club Player of the Season also said, despite a hectic summer, he was looking forward to reporting for pre-season training to catch up with the rest of the Sky Blues squad.

"It will be good to see the guys again and I'm looking forward to getting stuck in and getting on it.

"We start and finish the season with home games so that's always good so hopefully we can get the new season off to a good start."