Ciaran Kilkenny has revealed that goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton has returned to training with Dublin ahead of their Leinster SFC opener against Wicklow or Wexford on Sunday week.
The 39-year-old, who has won six All-Stars and eight All-Ireland titles, sat out the four-game Allianz Football League campaign but - despite speculation he was considering retirement - he is now back with Dessie Farrell's squad.
"We’re looking forward to him and a load of other lads that have to come back in," forward Kilkenny told 2fm's Game On. "They’ll bring a serious amount of energy to the group."
Dublin haven’t lost a game in Leinster since 2010 or in championship at all since 2014 but - as the likes of Kerry and Tyrone found out to their cost last year - the lack of qualifiers means the top teams need to be extra vigilant in the provincial rounds.
"It’s knockout football, so anyone can be beaten on any given day," said Kilkenny.
"The best example of that is how competitive it was last year.
"You just have to be prepared for every game and learn from every game.
"The games are going to come thick and fast so you just need to keep yourself in shape physically and mentally and keep your skills nice and sharp."
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Kilkenny, himself a four-time All-Star, says he now feels like one of the veterans of the Dublin team at the age of 27.
"Every year it changes but some of us lads that used to be the younger lads are now the older lads.
"We have lots of younger lads that are putting their hands up for positions and it’s very competitive within the group. It’s great to have that.
"When I started I was getting lifts to training from Barry Cahill and Alan Brogan and now I’m giving Sean Bugler and other lads lifts.
"It all happens in the blink of an eye so you just try to enjoy it and appreciate it as much as you can.
"What has gone on in the world over the last year makes you appreciate being able to play a match again and the last day even having our parents at the games and a bit of atmosphere."
Follow all the championship matches this weekend with our live blogs on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app.
Watch Down v Donegal and Clare v Waterford live on RTÉ One (from 12.55pm) and see highlights of all the weekend's action on The Sunday Game at 9.30pm on RTÉ One.
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