Tom Carroll Insists 'Hard Work Will Pay Off' as Swansea Star Trains During Summer Break

​While the majority of football players spend their brief time off relaxing during the summer kicking it back on a beach in some exotic location, Swansea midfielder Tom Carroll insisted he did not arrive for the first day of pre-season training with a "pot belly".

Speaking to ​Wales Online, the playmaker ensured he arrived to the Fairwood training complex in good shape with a series of drills on holiday intended to shed the pounds and keep his weight in order, with the aim of it benefiting him in the long run.

"I was doing beach runs - flag to flag - in the morning along with some swimming," said Carroll. "You have to do it now. If you came in with a little pot belly you would be in trouble.

“The hard sessions you put in during pre-season – and in your holidays – can really pay off. Hopefully it will go some way towards ensuring we have a more successful year this time around.”

His plan clearly worked as the dynamic 25-year-old midfielder started the season in fine form, running the show in Swansea's first run-out of the season, with his endurance a key factor in his first performance back against the Philadelphia Reunion in a 2-2 draw.

"I used to hate running – I was part of the district county squad for cross country, but I didn’t want to do it. I just didn’t enjoy it," added the ex-Tottenham player.

“It obviously comes in pretty useful for a midfielder to be able to put in a good shift of running as we are all over the pitch. I was happy with my results in the pre-season running tests. I’ve always been a decent runner."

Now with his mind fully focused, coupled with Swansea featuring as a Premier League team for another season after their great escape last year, Carroll could use his newfound fitness levels to great effect to fire them up the table.