Midfielder Dan Gardner believes hard work will pay off for Oldham Athletic this season.

The 34-year-old said the first two and a half weeks of pre-season training ahead of the new 2024/25 campaign had been intense - particularly the five-day trip to St Andrew's last week.

But he feels they are already seeing the benefits of the many hours spent on the training ground so far.

"We've worked hard and worked on a lot of things. The gaffer's been drilling us with certain things and you can see in the first two games how we've been trying to go about it," said Gardner.

"Tuesday was tough with the pitch, it was very sticky, but we still stuck to what he wants us to do and we'll just keep doing that.

"The main thing is getting minutes under your belt and trying to get through it unscathed, every single one of us. Obviously you get a few niggles here and there but we're just trying to get through pre-season with a fitness and I think the lads are looking fit. The gaffer and the staff have put us through our paces obviously with going away to Scotland which was a great trip for all of us.

"We came back from that on the Friday, played on the Saturday, the lads looked fit, played well."

And Gardner, who signed a new one-year deal at Boundary Park in the summer, is confident they will get a lot out of spending a those few days away together.

"Team bonding, working on a lot of things, and just getting fit... I think we've come out of it with all of that," he continued.

"It's tough but that's what you expect from pre-season. The gaffer's big on getting fit, and everyone looks fit.

"His message is hard work, same as it's always been, and when you get the ball play; take the ball in tight spaces and play with a freedom. He always gives you the freedom to play. It's about being brave, taking the ball in positions and we've been trying to do that in the first couple of games."

Gardner scored the opening goal in Tuesday night's 2-1 defeat at Warrington Rylands - finishing well from 25 yards after his initial free kick bounced back off the wall.

"It's always good to get minutes in pre-season and try to get goals where I can so I'll keep trying that," he said.

Of his new deal, which prolongs his second spell with Latics into a third season, Gardner added: "Ever since I've been here I've always wanted to do well for myself, for the club, for my family, for everyone, so I was delighted to come back.

"I think everyone knew I wanted to stay so it was just about getting the deal sorted."

Meanwhile, Latics host their third pre-season friendly - their second at home - on Saturday when they entertain Lincoln City (kick-off 3pm).