French midfielder Lilian Nalis trained for the first time with the Town squad this morning. And despite it being around 25 degrees and both Maurice Malpas and David Byrne putting the squad through their paces, the former Plymouth player was glad to be back in training.

"When you get a phone call from a manager its always a good sign, it's good for me to be back in football," said Nalis.

"I can see myself not fit enough football wise, so it's good to be back in training, to become stronger and sharper.

"I have always said that English football is the best you can play in Europe, in every division. You can always find some good football and fans with passion around you."

Nalis had previously only visited The County Ground a couple of times during friendly matches with Plymouth and ex-Swindon striker Rory Fallon wasn't the only one to have had previous experience with the Robins.

"I've been speaking with the Gaffer and Dave (Byrne), and Paul Sturrock, so I've heard some good things. I know Hasney Aljofree - I played with him at Plymouth so I've heard good things from him too.

"Swindon is the only club I've really spoke to. I've talked to other clubs, but I didn't follow the calls up.

"I was looking for a new challenge, so I said to Maurice I was going to come up and I came up three days later. I'm going to stay and play with them, and when the time comes to decide whether to stay, I'll decide.

"I'm happy to be back in football, but it will take me time to take used to the team. I don't know the lads and the way they play, it will take me time to get used to them and learn a bit. It's been a while since I've played and competed so I can't wait to get involved on Saturday."

Nalis was released by Sturrock at the end of the 2007/08 season and so has had some time out of the game, which has had it's advantages and disadvantages, according to the former Licester City man.

"It's never happened to me in 20 years of football, I've always had a club when I've finished the season. But when you get to 36, it's going to happen. But it meant I got to spend the time at home in France with the family.

"The last few years, I've said to clubs, give me the year and I'll play that and then ill decide what I want to do. I've been doing that for the last three years and I'll do it again."

They said...

"Football for me is the dressing room, the teammates, the game on the football pitch and the relationship with the fans.

Lilian Nalis

A former fans player of the year, Nalis had a great relationship with the Plymouth supporters but leaving clubs is something footballers have to learn to accept.

"This is football you know. I had two and a half good years at a club and a great relationship with the fans. But Paul Sturrock came in, he had his own ideas about what he wanted to do and where he wanted to go and that was his decision.

"As a football player you need to accept it, if you put your head down then it's all over. So, you have to put your head up and try to find something else."

French born and bred, and having spent many of his early years playing football across the channel, it is something about the English game draws Nalis to these shores.

"What makes me come to England all the time is the football and the passion, and for me, as a man it's good to experience different cultures and different parts of the country, so that's what I've been doing, and I love it!"

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