Under the guidance of Head Coach Milan Lalkovič, FC Lokomotíva Košice began its winter preparation yesterday for the upcoming spring portion of the 2024/25 season. This training period will last exactly 53 days, wrapping up on Sunday, March 3, 2025 – just in time for our first spring match in the TIPOS 3rd League (East), at home against Dolný Kubín.
Because our usual training field on Užhorodská wasn’t ready due to a brief closure, the team’s first session was rescheduled by one day and took place in the gym on Bardejovská. “I still wanted to bring the squad together, greet everyone, and get as much information from the players as possible,” explains Coach Lalkovič. “Today, we played some light football indoors, but next week we’ll start training on the pitch at Užhorodská.”
Coach Lalkovič used the opening session to outline a training plan that includes three tactical practice sessions plus one strength workout each week, along with five friendly matches currently on the schedule. The first friendly is set for Sunday, January 19, 2025, against Partizán Bardejov on Užhorodská. A planned match with Humenné has been cancelled by the opponent, so the next game will be against Medzev, played in Moldava nad Bodvou.
A total of 16 players reported to the first workout, while 9 were absent. Missing were:
- Adam Kuľha (fully recovered from surgery, but sidelined by recent illness; expected next week)
- Miroslav Petko (strained knee ligaments; probable return in February)
- Lukáš Urban, Ľubomír Ivanko Macej, Filip Kis, Samuel Kiš (all joining next week)
- Manuel Sánchez Espinar, Vuk Dapčevič, Patrik Grega (long-term injury)
On a positive note, the core roster looks set to stay intact. With both Timotej Pálfi and Adam Kuľha back to full fitness, plus five promising young talents joining the first session, the squad is shaping up well. “We’re looking to strengthen our roster,” says Coach Lalkovič, “and we’ve reached out to some quality players. We’ll see how things develop during the preparations.”
Training Roster on Day One
- Confirmed Squad: Matej Podstavek, Martin Leško, Timotej Pálfi, Sebastián Čorňák, Kristián Štovka, Adam Oros, Jakub Škovran, Tofik Kasumov, Dávid Pastyrčák, Simon Rigo, Alex Smolák
- On Trial: Radoslav Stričko, Samuel Závacký, Daniel Pástor, Jakub Drenka, Vladimír Kaňuch
We wish our players a successful training period, good health, and a positive spirit as we gear up for the spring!
