Gavin Mahon claims he is fitter than ever thanks to the demanding pre-season regime imposed by QPR boss Iain Dowie.The midfielder joined from Watford in January and has featured heavily in the Rs' pre-season preparations.

Mahon, 31, compared Dowie to Hornets boss Adrian Boothroyd, who led the Hornets to the Premier League in 2006.

"The gaffer is a hard task master, there's no doubt about that," he told the club's official website. "He is similar in his approach to Aidy; the footballs are out early and the sessions you do are all very tough, and everything is timed.

"It's great for me. I have never in my career been as fit as I have been over the last couple of years at the start of a season, and Iain Dowie has continued that with his pre-season approach.

"The team spirit has really benefited from his presence, too. You can have a good laugh with him, and he is quite laid back, which is great."

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