Pre-Season Progress Gives Gray Confidence

- Leicester City's Demarai Gray speaks to LCFC TV during pre-season training
- The Foxes winger says the squad has strength in depth ahead of the 2018/19 season
- Gray also discusses his happiness to welcome international team-mate James Maddison to the Club
- Claude Puel is set to take his squad to Évian-les-Bains for a pre-season camp this weekend

The Foxes were back in on Monday to begin preparations for the 2018/19 campaign, which starts at Old Trafford against Manchester United on Saturday 11 August (3pm BST kick-off).

Claude Puel, the City manager, has strengthened his squad with the additions of Ricardo Pereira, Jonny Evans and James Maddison as the Club approaches its fifth consecutive Premier League season.

“I think the depth of the team is very good,” Gray, 22, told LCFC TV earlier this week. “As you know, the manager likes his young players, which is good for the likes of me and the other young boys.

“I think that’s positive for us. We’ve got a good balance in the team of young players and experienced players. Hopefully we can find a system that’s going to be good for us during the season.

“It’s good to be back after a while and see most of the boys again. Obviously, a few of the boys are at the World Cup and they’ll be back in a few weeks, but it’s good to be back in a footballing environment.

“Everyone has to get back to their fitness levels – everyone has done their own preparations – but this is what pre-season is about.

“We want to get into our best shape for the first game of the season. It’s always nice to be back.

“It’s a lot of hard work and it’s physically demanding, but it’s part of the game and we’ve just got to be happy and regroup as a team again.”

Gray was also particularly enthused by the arrival of Maddison, an England Under-21s team-mate who scored 14 goals in the Sky Bet Championship for Norwich City last term.

“It’s nice when you see an old friend that turns into your team-mate. I’ve played with him a lot at England as well so it’s good and it’s a great signing for the Club.

“He’s going to bring a lot to the team, so I’m looking forward to playing with him and I think the fans should be excited to watch him play as well.”

Later this week, Puel will take his squad to his homeland for a six-day training camp in Évian-les-Bains, ahead of their maiden friendly fixture at Notts County on Saturday 21 July (3pm BST kick-off).

Throughout their stay in France, you can follow updates from the camp right here on LCFC.com.