Fulham ace Damien Duff has prepared for preseason by doing drills with the troops!

Duff is taking part in the Infantry Run - a test of endurance undertaken by teams from the IrishFinn battalion of peacekeepers in south Lebanon.

Duff took part in the challenge in what he claims is the toughest challenge he has ever undertaken - and it's easy to understand why.

The test included a 3km run, pushing an armoured van up a hill, carrying a stretcher with a weight, and running with heavy water canisters.

And despite the severity of the challenge Duff was upset his team didn't win.

"It was tough. Fair play to the lads, I don't know how they do it," he told the Irish Independent. "Because of the heat, you just want to stop and go and have a cold shower and a few bottles of water.

"It's amazing the spirit and camaraderie between the lads. They all keep pushing each other and just keep you going. If you could bottle what they have and sell it to football clubs, you'd make a fortune."

The Republic of Ireland international met all the soldiers at Camp Shamrock and took time to lay a wreath at the memorial to those in the battalion who have fallen.

Battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Brian Monahan said: "As an ambassador for the Irish soccer team, he is absolutely incredible.

"There are no airs or graces about him. I would love to have Damien Duff in the 106th IrishFinn battalion."