Dean Winnard is determined to be fit for the opening League Two fixture at Southend on August 18.

The 22-year-old had an operation on his ankle in February and has been sidelined since.

But the defender is back in pre-season training and is hoping he will be in contention for a starting berth come the big kick off.

"I started with the ankle injury in December and it just gradually got worse," said Winnard, who has a year left on his Reds’ contract.

"They took a bone out of my foot and I was on crutches for a couple of weeks.

"I haven’t had any injuries before, I have been quite lucky, and suddenly it was like all the niggles other footballers have all wrapped into this one injury."

There is never a good time to be injured but it coincided with the arrival of new boss Paul Cook and Winnard was forced to watch the second half of the season from the sidelines.

"It was horrible and no footballer likes watching but our physio Les Parry has been brilliant.

"He gave me a programme to do and I have stuck to it and now I am back in regular training.

"My aim is to be ready for the first game of the season as my ankle is getting stronger and stronger and I am getting better with every session.

"It is hard when you have had an injury as it is always in the back of your mind but I am sure it disappears in time and all I want to do is get back playing again now."

In his time out, Luke Joyce stepped into his captain’s shoes but Winnard said: "I was proud to be captain but I like Luke as well so it’s one of those things."

He also had to deal with speculation linking him with former Stanley boss John Coleman and a switch to the manager’s new club Rochdale.

"You hear things obviously but it’s just all speculation," he insisted. "I am contracted to Accrington for another year and that’s all I am concentrating on."

And now he is only looking forward and, while many Reds may be anticipating the Dale, Fleetwood or Morecambe fixtures, Winnard is different.

"I love playing on Boxing Day so the first fixture I always look for is that one.

"It stems back to when I was a fan and I loved travelling wherever Wigan were on Boxing Day – we usually went in fancy dress!

"It’s Bradford away and that’s a good one."