PETER Clarke is excited to get going again as Bury prepare for their first pre-season encounter on Saturday.

The Shakers will travel to the Globe Arena this weekend in a three-way, day-long tournament against Morecambe and Blackburn Rovers.

Bury returned from an intense seven-day training programme in Portugal on Saturday.

And centre-back Clarke says he is already feeling the benefit of the fitness regime following almost two months off during the summer.

“All footballer look forward to pre-season,” Clarke said. “It's great to be back. Believe it or not you really enjoy feeling the benefits of all the hard work.

“At the start it's all about fitness and not necessarily much work with the ball, so it will be great to get on the pitch playing again.”

Bury took their seven new signings with them to Portugal – goalkeepers Ben Williams and Chris Kirkland, defenders Antony Kay, Greg Leigh and Niall Maher, midfielder Zeli Ismail and striker Nicky Clark.

A couple of trialists also joined the camp.

And while Clarke was not about to let their identity slip, he says all the new faces have integrated nicely with the squad.

“It was four lads between two bedrooms in our base in Portugal and the new signings were dotted around between us to help them integrate with the squad.

“It has been good to spend time with them and to see what makes them tick.

"We are given plenty of time together to get to know each other really well.”

Clarke was re-united with former centre-back partner Kay, who he played alongside in the heart of the Huddersfield defence between 2009 and 2012.

The bond goes even further back than their days at the John Smith's Stadium, as he explains: “We have played some youth internationals together when we were younger, but that seems many moons ago now.

“He is a good guy to have around and has taken to training out here really well.”

Following Saturday's tournament at the Globe Arena, which starts at 1pm, Bury travel to Southport, who are managed by former Shakers striker Andy Bishop, on Saturday, July 23.

Carlisle United will visit Carrington on Tuesday, July 26 for a behind-closed-doors friendly before Bury make the short trip to Blackpool on Saturday, July 30.

A Bury XI will also travel to Prestwich Heys on Saturday (kick off 12pm), Ramsbottom United on Wednesday, July 27 and Radcliffe Borough on Friday, July 29.

Those fixtures are all gearing up to the visit of Charlton Athletic on the opening day of the League One season (Saturday, August 6).

Clarke added: “As the season creeps up we are looking forward to getting out there to battle and get winning league points again.

“From a personal point of view my thoughts are no different to any other season. I want to stay fit and put in a good level of performance.”