Cricket-mad Solly March is delighted to be back preparing for the new season but admits he’s got half an eye on the major event of the sporting summer.
The Albion winger injured both his hamstrings during the defeat to Everton at the beginning of May, but returned to training with the majority of the squad on Monday, with those who played international football in June due back next week.
He said, “Doing both hamstrings in the same incident was a bit unlucky and obviously it was disappointing not to play a part in the final few weeks. But I know I contributed to the success we had and on a personal level I thoroughly enjoyed the season.
The #PLSummerSeries is less than a month away! 👊🔜 @PremierLeague 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/yNROb6Y7TQ
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) June 27, 2023
“I had to do a bit of rehab work during the break but I managed a holiday as well and it’s great to be back this week catching up with the other lads and looking forward to what’s coming, especially European football for the first time. We’ve got some new faces in the squad which is always exciting and there are a few lads who have come back from loan spells.”
Albion head to the United States later this month for three games in the Summer Series, with matches against Chelsea, Brentford and Newcastle United.
“I’m looking forward to the trip.” Added Solly. “It will be hard work with training as well and I’m sure the matches over there will be competitive and good preparation for the season.”
Albion’s trip to America coincides with the climax of the Ashes, and cricket fan Solly has been glued to the action so far with England trailing 2-0 going into Thursday's Third Test.
“It’s been so full of twists and turns, England could easily be two up it’s been that close. Ben Stokes was fired up by what happened with the Jonny Bairstow dismissal and batted brilliantly. I still think England can fight back.
“We did some filming with Cheteshwar Pujara at Sussex last summer and he was quite complimentary about my batting, which was nice to hear from someone who’s played more than 100 Test matches.
“Hopefully I can find somewhere in America which is showing the Ashes when we’re over there. A few of the other lads are quite interested in cricket and on pre-season trips before we’ve played with a soft ball and it’s been quite competitive!”