PLYMOUTH Argyle midfielder Simon Walton is excitedly counting down the days to the start of pre-season training.

The future of the debt-ridden Pilgrims has yet to be resolved, nearly four months after entering administration with debts totalling £17 million.

But even though Walton (right) and his team-mates have still not been paid since December, it has not diminished his enthusiasm for the new season.

The 23-year-old has been visiting a gym this week to make sure he is ready for the start of pre-season training next Monday, following a two-month summer break.

Walton returned to first team action at the end of Argyle’s ill-fated 2010/11 League One campaign, after recovering from a long-term cruciate knee ligament injury.

His comeback was earlier than expected, with the Pilgrims fighting against relegation and desperately short of fit players.

He made one substitute appearance followed by six starts, putting in some impressive performances in trying circumstances.

And while Argyle did drop into League Two, Walton believes playing in those games will be of benefit to him now.

He told The Herald: “I’m really looking forward to coming back for pre-season training.

“Getting relegated was a downer for everyone but, personally, I was pleased with the way it went for me.

“My knee was fine – I just seemed to injure every other part of my body.

“I think playing in those games will stand me in good stead.

“Had I gone a full season without playing, I’m sure it would have taken me a bit longer to catch up.

“But I had seven pretty intense games in a short space of time, so I think I’m on a level playing field with everyone else.”

Walton will be one of a small group of senior players who report for the start of pre-season training.

That comes after a mass exodus of out-of-contract players, plus the sale of Yannick Bolasie and the dismissal of Kari Arnason.

Arnason refused to sign a deed of deferral on his wages for June and is now on trial with Scottish Premier League club Hearts.

Turning up for the first day of pre-season training with so few players is not a new experience for Walton, however.

Walton witnessed it when he was at Leeds United and they had been relegated from the Premier League at the end of 2003/04.

He said: “There were six first team players on the first day of pre-season training that summer. So it’s not quite as bad as that now.

“They were Gary Kelly, Michael Duberry, Matt Kilgallon, Frazer Richardson, Aaron Lennon and me. There was quite an influx of players after that, though.”

There has continued to be much uncertainty, and speculation, about the future of Argyle over the summer.

Walton admitted he was not sure what to expect when he reports for the start of pre-season training.

He said: “The only formal contact I have had from the club (over the summer) was an email which asked me to sign a wage deferral.

“When we were in training last season, even though the communication wasn’t great, we had an idea of what was happening.

“But when you aren’t around the place it’s a bit more frustrating. I don’t think any of us have got a clue about what’s going on.

“I dare say when something needs to be said we will be told,” he added.

Walton has 12 more months on a lucrative four-year contract which he signed when moving to Argyle from Queens Park Rangers on the eve of the 2008/09 season.

The financial landscape has changed considerably at Home Park since then.

The Pilgrims have been relegated twice, and will have to operate under a salary cap in League Two next season.

So Argyle are expected to try to do deals with players who are on Championship-level wages, such as Walton, Carl Fletcher and Damien Johnson.

“I haven’t spoken to anyone at the club, so I can’t really comment on speculation about contracts,” said Walton.

“I have got a year left on mine, but I understand the situation.

“There are a few of us on wages which probably aren’t sustainable in League Two. But, at the end of the day, we were offered those contracts by the club.

“I’m just looking forward to coming back and getting a nice, settled pre-season under my belt and, hopefully, being a part of the team this year.”