Konstantin Kerschbaumer has found himself playing alongside two 'new' faces during this pre-season in Romaine Sawyers and Lewis Macleod and he has been impressed with what they have to offer.

Sawyers joined the club from Walsall on July 1 and has been playing in the advanced midfield position at Griffin Park.

Macleod may have been at the club since January 2015 but injuries have kept him out of the side, barring a brief cameo at Brighton, until this pre-season, meaning he is like a new face in the squad.

And Kerschbaumer has enjoyed playing on the pitch with the pair, praising their hard work and dedication.

He said: “It's good to play with Romaine. We've played together in a few games. He's a good lad and he works hard and it's important for the team to have a new good player.

Lewis Macleod

“Lewis has done very well in pre-season and worked hard in training. He worked hard last year but had injuries. I'm very happy he's fully fit and is in a good shape.”

Kerschbaumer needed time to adapt to the Championship last season but believes, after a strong end to the campaign, he can hit the ground running this time around.

He added: “I have learned the rhythm of the Championship. Every game is so different and so close.

“The first year was a good experiences. I learned a lot and I'm looking forward to my second season here.

“I think I can hit the ground running. Last year was difficult as I didn't play in my preferred position in centre midfield and attacking midfield.

“I believe the number eight and number 10 are my best positions. There were a lot of new things for me. The last few games were good and I want to play better and better.”

There are more enticing sides in the Championship this season with the likes of Newcastle and Aston Villa dropping in from the Premier League but Kerschbaumer believes the standard will be similar to last season.

He explained: “There are big clubs in the league. Middlesbrough and Burnley were good teams. I think the league is quite similar as every game is so close.

“It's good to have the same team as last year. I feel it will be an advantage for us to have a settled squad.”