Ben Herd’s late arrival back for St Albans City’s pre-season campaign has left him playing catch-up – as he not only tries to get up to match speed but also get to know his new team-mates.

The experienced full back has been kept busy since the end of last season with his academy.

And with a family holiday thrown in there for good measure, he only arrived back in the country 24 hours before the game with Luton Town.

He said: “I’ve had a baptism of fire, literally as it’s been so hot.

“I was thrown in at the deep end against Luton and then we played Leyton Orient but it’s all good and I’ve felt better as we’ve gone on.

“Somehow I’m naturally quite fit so the big thing is the recovery after games.

“I’ve got to look after myself a little bit more these days.

“There is a lot of new faces and I don’t know half of them if I’m honest with you.

“But there’s a few of young players who have a lot of energy about them, which is good.

“Sometimes they are a bit naive but that will come and they seem good boys as well from what I’ve seen of them in the changing room, they seem like nice lads.

“I suppose it’s down to myself and some of the other senior players to try and help them along.

“And if they help themselves, some of them could be good players.”

Another change for Herd to adapt to is the switch from a back four.

It pushes the 33-year-old from full-back to wing-back, something which you would think gives him more licence to go forward.

“No, it just means more running,” he said with a laugh. “When we lose the ball it means I’ve got to run back more.

“It’s a difficult position to play but it’s very much in vogue now over the last two or three years. Everyone seems to play that now or most teams anyway.

“Yeah, it’s not easy but in all honesty it does suit me in some respects, I do like to get forward.

“I do have an abundance of enthusiasm and energy, even at my age.

“You have to be a bit disciplined in terms of understanding the back three as you don’t have to run too much if they have good positioning. That helps you.

“But it’s still early in the season and as we go on I’m sure we’ll hone it in.”