James McFadden vows to be fighting fit when Birmingham City kick-off the season

Aug 2 2010 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

JAMES McFadden today insisted he would be in fine fettle for the start of the new season.

McFadden missed Blues’ pre-season tour to Hong Kong and China and had to make do with solitary fitness work at Wast Hills.

He stayed behind to be with his wife for the birth of their son, Toby, who weighed in at 7lb 8oz.

McFadden, who came on as a substitute at Derby County and then started and scored against Northampton Town yesterday in a 2-2 draw, said that by August 14 and the big kick-off, he would be okay.

“From what I gather, the tour was tough and not that great in terms of some of the organisation but with the games the guys played, they are probably ahead of me in that respect,” he said.

“Saturday was my first game but I trained hard here. I feel fine, I just need games.

“I went in every day and was training with a few of the young reserve players. But obviously I was not getting any match time.

“I will be ready for when the season starts.

“We’ve got a game Tuesday, then Saturday, then I have a friendly with Scotland.

“The games are coming thick and fast and hopefully I can play a few 90 minutes and get the tiredness you need to feel, because that’s when you get the fitness and sharpness, from when you’re absolutely knackered.”

McFadden, who also hit the woodwork during his 73-minute stint at Northampton, said flying off to the Far East was something Blues would have to get used to in the future.

“The most important thing pre-season is fitness,’’ he added.

‘‘I don’t think going out there was necessarily the best preparation, to be honest, but that’s what happens when you get taken over, you’ve got Chinese owners and they want to tap into the Chinese market.