Newly promoted Highlands Park planning to return to work earlier than other clubs

Newly promoted Highlands Park have opted to start their pre-season training at least a fortnight before the next club in order to be ready for their return to the Premier Soccer League top-flight.

The National First Division champions are going back to work next Monday.

“We have to start earlier than the other PSL teams because we have lots of catching up to do and we obviously don’t have the advantage they have in terms of experience.

“The more preparation we can get in to ensure we are properly ready‚ so much the better for us‚” said chairman Larry Brookstone and assistant coach Allan Freese.

Both were in Polokwane this week scouting players at the COSAFA Cup.

The club plan several signings to strengthen their squad for the new season‚ which starts in August.

Highlands have bitter memories of their previous campaign when they went up for the 2016-17 season after winning the promotion-relegation play-offs.

They had a few weeks to rest and then prepare for their inaugural top-flight campaign and they were already on the backfoot by the time the league get going in earnest.

Highlands went on to to finish last with just five win in their 30 league matches.

But they came storming back after initially losing three of their opening five games in the NFD.

Owen da Gama then took over as coach and they did not lose again in the league‚ romping to the title.

Most PSL clubs will start their pre-season training between June 18 and 25.