When Jamie Lawrence was stretchered off in the 21st minute of the victory over Birmingham City at home, it seemed that all the hard work he had endured to improve his fitness during the summer had been wasted.

The 28-year-old says he had a long chat with manager Paul Jewell towards the end of last season and decided that he would arrive back for pre-season training in super fit condition.

Lawrence returned to his native London during the summer but cut down on his evenings out.

The result was Lawrence feeling fitter than at any time during his career- something that was evident during the pre-season and early season games.

However early in the clash with Birmingham at Valley Parade, Lawrence suffered a medial knee ligament injury.

This saw him leave the ground on crutches with his knee in a brace and understandably feeling down.

He said: "When I did the injury, I really thought I was back to square one again. I thought I was playing a lot better than last year and I put that down to my fitness.

"I wanted a good pre-season and was determined to get fitter than ever before. I managed that by cutting out the drink.

"As a professional athlete, it is only right that you do it in moderation. Throughout the summer, I only went out once every two weeks and I really felt the benefits.

"I was gutted to be injured. I thought I would be out for two and a half months or maybe even more. But I have worked my socks off. I went out a few times when I went back to London because I was depressed at being injured.

"However now I just go out just once a week, usually after a game on a Saturday. I feel a lot better for that. The game is so quick now that you have to be really fit."

Alcohol in football is a burning issue at the moment with Paul Gascoigne the most high profile case of a player's performance suffering as a result and Lawrence's attitude is a refreshing change.

The midfielder has slotted into the side in the past couple of weeks at right wing back following the hamstring injury which Lee Todd suffered a couple of weeks ago. And he is relishing the role.

He said: "While I was away, the lads started putting some great results together. I was pleased to see the results while I was out. I am not one of those players who sit there on the sidelines hoping they do badly. If the results are good and then I can fight my back in, then all the better.

"I never thought I would get back as quick as this though. I don't care where I play. I thought I may be struggling fitness-wise, but it has been quite easy.

"My first full start was down at Norwich when I didn't know I was playing until the morning of the game. It was quite a welcome back -- facing Darren Eadie and then Keith O'Neill.

"It is good to play against top class players like that. Having said that, I could have done without it in my first game back. But I thought I did all right.

"I am not a natural defender but I think I am getting a lot better. I wasn't really allowed to bomb forward when I played the role last season, but now I am playing with much more freedom and, as a result, confidence.

"Speed is part of my game and although my positioning is not always the best, my speed gets me through.

"Darren Moore talks me through the game. My aim now is merely to keep that shirt until the end of the season. If I can do that I will be happy."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.