Brek Shea has been working his way back to full fitness with the USA national team which is delighting his new club coach.
The 24-year old winger joined MLS expansion outfit Orlando City SC from Premier League club Stoke City in December but has been unable to report to pre-season training because of international obligations.
However, Lions head coach Adrian Heath is keeping a close eye on former FC Dallas star Shea's progress under Juergen Klinsmann and admits he is fairly pleased with how his form and fitness is coming along.
"We've been speaking and he's been training very hard which he has emphasized every time I've spoken to him," Heath said of the former Barnsley and Birmingham City loanee.
"He's not really missing pre-season because he is doing more than we are at this moment in time.
"He wants to get back in and start impressing Juergen and everybody in the national team so he'll be working hard.
"From a personal point of view, I'm just looking forward to getting him back here."
Shea gave further evidence of his improved confidence since departing the Britannia Stadium by scoring his third US goal with a sublime first-time finish in the sixth minute of Wednesday's 3-2 friendly loss to Chile in Rancagua.
