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Nugent: Better prepared

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David Nugent is looking to banish the memories of his dismal first season in the Premier League.

The Portsmouth striker struggled to adapt to life in the top flight following his big money move from Preston last summer, but is confident that he has the ability to be a success among England's elite.

Nugent concedes that he was hampered by injuries and a severe loss of form last year, but back to full fitness and raring to go he is looking forward to erasing some painful memories from the not-so-distant past.

"Speaking on a personal level, last season was a disaster, really," the one-cap England international told The News.

Stronger

"My fitness, my injuries, the lack of games I played - none of it helped and it's fair to say I was disappointed with it all.

"It didn't help that I signed two weeks into pre-season training last year. From then on I was playing a bit of catch-up with the other lads.

"Now I can start from scratch and from day one show the gaffer what I can do.

"Obviously you always want to be fit but I feel I was lacking in my fitness last season and that is something I have really worked on.

"Now I am fitter and stronger than before.

Scoring

"I feel good and I'm going to give my all to get into the team. I have to play games.

"Last season others were scoring, such as Benjani and then Jermain (Defoe), so I couldn't argue with that.

"But I've got to try my hardest this season and show the gaffer what I can do.

"I really want to have a good pre-season - and I think I will. This will be my season."