SAM Vokes is determined to make sure his body is ready for the physical demands of League One football ahead of the new season.

The rookie striker, who burst into the first-team reckoning last season, showed he was more than capable of coping with the footballing demands of League One, netting four goals in his eight starts.

And although he's the first to admit that his 17-year-old frame struggled to cope with the rigours of professional football, Vokes is putting in the hours over the summer break to make sure he hits the ground running when pre-season rolls around.

Vokes, who had just returned from the Isle of Wight Festival, told the Daily Echo: "When I was thrown in last season, my body was used to playing youth team football.

"The pace and the tempo was completely different to what I was used to and I was feeling tweaks and pulls all over the place.

"But I'm determined that I will be fit enough to cope with regular first-team football next season and I'm already working hard trying to prepare myself.

"Doing some work early is the key, rather than just turning up for pre-season and starting from scratch."

On a recent family holiday in Florida, the Lymington-based youngster was in the gym when he wasn't on the rollercoasters and he has undertaken a strict weights programme under the guidance of fitness consultant Mark Burley at Canford School ahead of pre-season.

Vokes added: "I was injured towards the end of last season so I didn't feel I particularly needed a rest and I'm ready for the new season to start now."