ANDY Cook says there is a sense of excitement amongst his squad as Oxford United Women began pre-season training last night.

The FA Women’s Super League 2 side do not start their new campaign for eight weeks.

But it has been two months since the U’s kicked a ball in anger the Spring Series having finished at the end of May.

Cook has been busy bolstering his squad, with the signings of Dan Carlton, Kayleigh Hines and Claire Skinner.

The hard work is now under way to ensure United can hit the ground running.

Manager Cook told the club website: “It’s great to be back and starting pre season.

“We have had a long break, but the players have all had off-season programmes.

“We have had a busy post-season bringing new people to strengthen the team and moving to a new training facility.”

United will be based at the new 3G surface at Oxford City’s Court Place Farm – with whom they have formed a new partnership to run the facility – moving from Abingdon’s United’s Northcourt Road ground.

The fixtures for the FA WSL 2 season are yet to be released, but Cook’s side have eight friendlies lined up, starting on August 13 when they host Cheltenham Town.

He said: “ I’m excited to see what we can achieve.

“The level of competition in the league is fierce and we need to match that every session.”