McAteer: Getting To Grips & Building Up

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McAteer: Getting To Grips & Building Up

A late returnee following international duty, Kasey McAteer is beginning to get up to speed with his team-mates during what has been a productive second week of pre-season.

2025-07-11T09:00+01:00

by Sam Jones

Published

11 Jul, 2025

McAteer: Getting To Grips & Building Up

A late returnee following international duty, Kasey McAteer is beginning to get up to speed with his team-mates during what has been a productive second week of pre-season.

Sam Jones

2025-07-11T09:00+01:00

McAteer: Getting To Grips & Building Up

A late returnee following international duty, Kasey McAteer is beginning to get up to speed with his team-mates during what has been a productive second week of pre-season.

Sam Jones

2025-07-11T09:00+01:00

McAteer: Getting To Grips & Building Up

A late returnee following international duty, Kasey McAteer is beginning to get up to speed with his team-mates during what has been a productive second week of pre-season.

Sam Jones

2025-07-11T09:00+01:00

McAteer: Getting To Grips & Building Up

A late returnee following international duty, Kasey McAteer is beginning to get up to speed with his team-mates during what has been a productive second week of pre-season.

Sam Jones

2025-07-11T09:00+01:00

Kasey McAteer shares experiences from his first few days of pre-season
Focus has turned towards getting game time while still improving fitness levels
The week will end with a friendly against OH Leuven at LCFC Training Ground
You can watch the game live and free on YouTube and Foxes Hub (3pm BST kick-off)

Once his latest exploits with the Republic of Ireland came to a close, a short break allowed the Academy graduate to briefly switch off from the footballing world, coming back refreshed to hit the ground running at LCFC Training Ground, with the usual double sessions a reminder of the intensity required to meet the high standards expected from all of the players.

Having looked on from the sidelines in Seagrave during last weekend’s friendly against Peterborough United, he is keen to be involved when City face OH Leuven at the same venue this Saturday – a game you can watch live on YouTube and Foxes Hub.

“The first few days of pre-season are always tough,” the 23-year-old admitted. “Especially coming in a bit later than a lot of the boys, but I’m just getting to grips with it now and getting the fitness in – that’s what it’s all about in pre-season.

“When you’re coming in on the first day, you have to do your testing, which is the worst bit about it, but it’s just how it is and the way it falls. But now I'm back in with the boys, which is what I wanted to do. It’s nice to link up with everyone again after a few weeks off, build those relationships up again and get down to it.

“They are a bit further ahead fitness-wise than us boys who have come in after the international games. We had a few more days off but it’s about catching up now and that’s what we’re looking to do.

“You never really switch off, especially mentally. You’re always thinking about pre-season coming around and getting back to your top levels of fitness. And obviously watching the game on Saturday, you want to be out there, but you know you’re not there yet.

Photo 1/20

Imagery from week two of pre-season as the squad continues to build up fitness from our base at LCFC Training Ground.

“You need to do a few more sessions and get the work in the legs and then hopefully the next game you are available. I’m aiming towards that [OH Leuven] game to get back on the grass and play.”

Taking on OHL - who play in Belgium’s top division - will be the perfect test at this stage of the calendar, McAteer believes, just under a month away from the start of the new Sky Bet Championship campaign.

“Every day we’re training we’re trying to get more rhythm with new ideas and, as you train more and confidence grows, hopefully that can be transferred into games,” the winger explained.

“We’ve got players who have played against Leuven before, so we know that they’ll be a good side and it’ll be a tough test for us. We go into every game, no matter whether it’s a friendly or a competitive game, wanting to win - that’s our aim to do so.

“I think spirits are very high. Kingy has been taking it and he’s been great. He’s been pushing us every day. The word he’s used a lot is intensity and that’s been in every drill that we’ve done.

“All the boys are giving 100 per cent and that’s all you can ask for – to try their best. And what comes with that is fitness and confidence and relationships being built on the pitch. Hopefully we can transfer that onto the game pitch.”

Tickets remain on sale for our final pre-season friendly against Fiorentina at King Power Stadium on Sunday 3 August, while you can now purchase Foxes Hub audio and video passes to watch City across 2025/26.

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