Hinkel, 26, accepted the arduous return after the summer break safe in the knowledge that the hard pre-season slog will soon be over for another year.

"Pre-season training is just part of the job," he told the club's website.

"It's never easy but at least in Scotland you only have to do it once every season.

"In Germany, because of the winter break, we basically do two pre-seasons and that's even worse.

"I think the players are happy to be back in the routine. We had a long break of six weeks and that's enough.

"Now, we've got hard work ahead of us but it's the same for every professional player.

"It's all part of being a professional. The sessions are hard, but if you are tired afterwards then that's a good sign.

"The players are all working hard and will be ready when the games start."