Tottenham goalkeeper Michel Vorm is happy to get stuck into a new preseason.

Pre-season has changed dramatically during Michel's career. Born in Nieuwegein, Holland, he signed his first professional contract at nearby FC Utrecht aged 17 in 2000.

“Love it? That's never going to happen!" he smiled with the Spurs website.

“After a few weeks of holiday you starting thinking 'I need to do something' and I did my bits and pieces over the last two weeks. That makes it easier. Everyone does that now, you have to. It's a long and intense season and after a few weeks of rest, you need to start over again.

“That's why I don't say I love it, but I know I need this. Back in the day it would be more like...(sighs)...I'd be complaining, and now it's more 'let's do it' because it's for our benefit.

“At times as a goalkeeper you can play games and you won't have a lot to do, but here you always need to be ready, to be switched on. The way we play, we have to be alert all the time. It's a challenge, especially mentally and even though I'm turning 34 in October, I'm still learning. It keeps you sharp. I've never been as fit as this in my whole career and that's down to the manager and the coaching staff.

“Sometimes people don't believe me, they say 'are you 26, 27?' but that's how I feel. In the past I had a few injuries and I was thinking 'come on, I'm only 26' but now I'm almost 34 and I feel great. That's down to the work we've done in the last few years. As I said, I don't say I love it, but I need it and it's certainly easier for me than when I was younger!"