- Danny Simpson is pleased with Leicester City's progress in pre-season this summer
- The Foxes will return to work in England this week after the Premier League Asia Trophy
- City's right back believes everyone is reaping the rewards of their hard work in training
- Craig Shakespeare's men take on Luton Town on Wednesday evening (7:45pm kick-off)
The City right back is among those to have been in full training with Craig Shakespeare’s squad since the beginning of July before embarking on trips to Austria and Hong Kong in changeable conditions.
Following the 2-1 Premier League Asia Trophy Final defeat by Liverpool on Saturday evening, Simpson took the opportunity to reflect on the overall impact of City’s work on the training pitches this month.
“Pre-season is all about fitness but you still want to win games,” he told LCFC TV.
“When you get into the Final, you want to get into the habit of winning. A lot of the lads got good minutes and I think we had the better chances overall.”
On Islam Slimani’s header against the Reds, which gave the Foxes the lead in the 12th minute, Simpson added: “You know what he’s like. If you put in good crosses like that, more often than not he scores. It was a great little move.
“Maybe we had a chance to go 2-0 up too but the conditions are tough out there. There was some good stuff tonight considering it was only our second game.”
The 30-year-old believes the Foxes will reap the rewards of their efforts when they return to work back home later this week.
Following the trip to Kenilworth Road on Wednesday, clashes against MK Dons, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Burton Albion and Borussia Mönchengladbach await before the Premier League curtain-raiser at Arsenal on Friday 11 August (7:45pm kick-off).
“I’m not used to these conditions but it’s the same for everyone,” he continued. “Pre-season has been going really well up to now, some of us are into our third week and we’re looking really good.
“It’s been a great experience to come out here, to come to the other side of the world and see the fans and the support they have shown. It’s been a good week for the lads. Playing against Premier League teams will only stand you in good stead ahead of the first game against Arsenal.
“It is tough on the lungs, you’re trying to get your oxygen in. When we get back into England, we will find it a lot easier to be sharper and do more running. Austria has been great for us and the games here, in these conditions, will be great for us come next week.”
Don't forget to stay tuned to LCFC.com and LCFC TV over the coming weeks as City continue their pre-season preparations.